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During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We got to the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Once Performed for You?

Whether it's cheering you up to changing your life, we want to hear about unexpected interactions that have stuck with you.

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