During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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