In the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining 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 evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
What is the Kindest Gesture a Stranger Has Ever Done for You?
From cheering you up to changing your life, we are interested in random meetings that have stuck with you.
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