In the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, 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 set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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