During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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