In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know 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 straight off informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
What is the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Once Performed for You?
Whether it's brightening your mood to transforming your future, we would love to know random meetings that have left a lasting impression.
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