During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student walked over 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 made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have 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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