During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Because my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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