In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Unknown Person Has Shown for You?
Whether it's making your day to altering your path, we want to hear about unexpected interactions that have left a lasting impression.
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