During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as 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 gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
What is the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Shown for You?
Whether it's brightening your mood to altering your path, we would love to know unexpected interactions that have stuck with you.
Feel free to recount your experience if you are an adult, anonymously if you prefer. Your responses are protected, and are intended for the aim of this article.
