During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
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 newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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Whether it's cheering you up to altering your path, we would love to know chance encounters that have left a lasting impression.
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