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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job 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 next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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

Whether it's cheering you up to altering your path, we would love to know chance encounters that have stuck with you.

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