During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?
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