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In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education 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 identity, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.

Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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

Whether it's cheering you up to changing your life, we would love to know unexpected interactions that have remained in your memory.

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