In the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Tell us about the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Shown for You?
From making your day to altering your path, we are interested in random meetings that have stuck with you.
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