During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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