In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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