During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know 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 using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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