During the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student 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. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, 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 met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?
Whether it's brightening your mood to changing your life, we want to hear about random meetings that have stuck with you.
Feel free to recount your experience if you are 18 or over, keeping your details private if you wish. Your responses are confidential, and are intended for the goal of sharing inspiring stories.
