During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him 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 electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Shown for You?
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