During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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