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During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student walked over to me and told me 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 immediately explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” 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 also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

Can you recall the Kindest Gesture a Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?

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