In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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