In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student approached 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 made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – 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. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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