During the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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