During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and told 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 immediately informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft 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 used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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