During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have 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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