During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close 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, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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