During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off 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 after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
What is the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?
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