During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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