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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my prospective employer 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 can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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From making your day to transforming your future, we are interested in unexpected interactions that have remained in your memory.

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