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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. 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 also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich 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 always appreciative.

Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Shown for You?

Whether it's brightening your mood to changing your life, we are interested in unexpected interactions that have remained in your memory.

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