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In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

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 newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?

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

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