In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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