In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion 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 prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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