During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing 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 engineering student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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