During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – 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. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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