During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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