In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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