In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Tell us about the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Ever Done for You?
From cheering you up to changing your life, we want to hear about random meetings that have left a lasting impression.
Please share your story if you are an adult, without revealing your identity if you wish. The stories you tell are secure, and are intended for the purpose of this feature.
