During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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