The Generosity of Strangers: The Way a Gentleman I Only Just Encountered Assisted Me Obtain the Job That Transformed My Existence

In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. 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 working on studies with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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