During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. 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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From cheering you up to changing your life, we are interested in chance encounters that have stuck with you.
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