During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising 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 forever grateful.
What is the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Once Performed for You?
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