During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and told me 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 went to the meeting – but right away informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered 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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