During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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