During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, 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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