In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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