During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Because my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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