During the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?
Whether it's brightening your mood to altering your path, we are interested in random meetings that have stuck with you.
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