In the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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