During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science 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 how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student came up to me and told me 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 showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?
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