During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
Tell us about the Kindest Gesture a Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?
From brightening your mood to transforming your future, we want to hear about random meetings that have remained in your memory.
We invite you to tell us if you are 18 or over, keeping your details private if you wish. The stories you tell are confidential, and are intended for the goal of sharing inspiring stories.
