During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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