During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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