In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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