In the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student approached 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 taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
What is the Kindest Gesture a Unknown Person Has Ever Done for You?
Whether it's brightening your mood to transforming your future, we are interested in unexpected interactions that have left a lasting impression.
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