In the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage 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 altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
What is the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?
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