In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over 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 made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising 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 forever grateful.
Tell us about the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Shown for You?
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