During the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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