In the final years of the 1980s, 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 arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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