During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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