During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed 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 said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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