During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – 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 place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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