During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. 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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