During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have 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.
What is the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?
From brightening your mood to transforming your future, we are interested in random meetings that have stuck with you.
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