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During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?

Whether it's brightening your mood to changing your life, we are interested in chance encounters that have stuck with you.

Feel free to recount your experience if you are an adult, anonymously if you prefer. Your responses are confidential, and will only be used the goal of sharing inspiring stories.