During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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