During the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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