During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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