In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” 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 took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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