During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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