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In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

Critically, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

What is the Most Generous Act a Unknown Person Has Once Performed for You?

From brightening your mood to altering your path, we would love to know random meetings that have left a lasting impression.

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