In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion 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 informed my host 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 said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Shown for You?
Whether it's cheering you up to altering your path, we are interested in random meetings that have left a lasting impression.
Feel free to recount your experience if you are 18 or over, keeping your details private if you wish. The stories you tell are protected, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.
