During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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