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During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

What is the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?

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