During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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