In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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