In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped 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 led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
What is the Kindest Gesture a Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?
Whether it's making your day to altering your path, we want to hear about chance encounters that have left a lasting impression.
Feel free to recount your experience if you are an adult, without revealing your identity if you prefer. What you share are secure, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.
