During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
What is the Kindest Gesture a Stranger Has Shown for You?
Whether it's making your day to altering your path, we are interested in unexpected interactions that have left a lasting impression.
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