In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. 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 got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
What is the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?
From making your day to altering your path, we want to hear about chance encounters that have remained in your memory.
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