In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Tell us about the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?
From making your day to changing your life, we are interested in random meetings that have stuck with you.
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