During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Can you recall the Kindest Gesture a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?
From cheering you up to altering your path, we would love to know chance encounters that have remained in your memory.
We invite you to tell us if you are of legal age, anonymously if you choose. What you share are confidential, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.
