In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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