During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained 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 electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away informed my prospective employer 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 can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received complimentary education 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 name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland 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 benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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