During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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