During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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