In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
What is the Nicest Thing a Someone You Didn't Know Has Once Performed for You?
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