During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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