During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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