An Kindness of People We Don't Know: How a Gentleman I Barely Knew Helped Me Land the Job That Transformed My Existence

In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?

From brightening your mood to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.

Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you choose. Your responses are secure, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.