During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation 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 scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq 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. Because he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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