During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested 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 did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting 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 interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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