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During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq 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 taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “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. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.

I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

What's more, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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

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