During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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