During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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