During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, 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 eternally thankful.
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