During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York 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 benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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