In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – 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 three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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