During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
What is the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?
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