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During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland 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 benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

Can you recall the Kindest Gesture a Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?

Whether it's cheering you up to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have remained in your memory.

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