During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked 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 organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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