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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, 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 approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. 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 Someone You Didn't Know Has Shown for You?

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