During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight 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 took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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