In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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