During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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