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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

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

I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

Can you recall the Kindest Gesture a Someone You Didn't Know Has Ever Done for You?

Whether it's cheering you up to transforming your future, we are interested in chance encounters that have remained in your memory.

Feel free to recount your experience if you are an adult, without revealing your identity if you wish. Your responses are confidential, and are solely for the aim of this article.