During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. 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 conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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