The Generosity of Strangers: How a Man I Barely Knew Helped Me Secure the Job That Altered My Path

During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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