During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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