During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Sitting next to me 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 recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Once Performed for You?
Whether it's cheering you up to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.
Feel free to recount your experience if you are 18 or over, without revealing your identity if you choose. What you share are protected, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.
