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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

Can you recall the Kindest Gesture a Unknown Person Has Ever Done for You?

Whether it's cheering you up to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have left a lasting impression.

Feel free to recount your experience if you are of legal age, without revealing your identity if you choose. What you share are protected, and are solely for the purpose of this feature.