In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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