During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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