During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student came up to 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 informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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