In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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