During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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