During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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