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In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a position in Switzerland 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 helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

What is the Most Generous Act a Stranger Has Shown for You?

From brightening your mood to altering your path, we are interested in unexpected interactions that have left a lasting impression.

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