In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and informed 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 informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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