During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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