During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, 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 showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Someone You Didn't Know Has Ever Done for You?
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