In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich 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 eternally thankful.
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