During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have 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 told me that he had arranged an interview 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 explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Shown for You?
From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have remained in your memory.
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