During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job 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 Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Ever Done for You?
Whether it's cheering you up to transforming your future, we are interested in unexpected interactions that have stuck with you.
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