In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that 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 metropolis where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. 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 Ever Done for You?
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