During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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