In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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