During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know 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 went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
Tell us about the Kindest Gesture a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?
From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about unexpected interactions that have left a lasting impression.
We invite you to tell us if you are 18 or over, keeping your details private if you choose. Your responses are confidential, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.
