During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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