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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.

Can you recall the Most Generous Act a Someone You Didn't Know Has Once Performed for You?

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