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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know 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 straight off informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Ever Done for You?

Whether it's cheering you up to changing your life, we are interested in chance encounters that have stuck with you.

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