During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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