During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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