During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview 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 was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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