In the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
Tell us about the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?
From brightening your mood to changing your life, we are interested in random meetings that have left a lasting impression.
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