In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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