During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, 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.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” 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 used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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