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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying 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, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.

Can you recall the Nicest Thing a Stranger Has Shown for You?

From cheering you up to altering your path, we are interested in chance encounters that have left a lasting impression.

Please share your story if you are an adult, anonymously if you choose. The stories you tell are protected, and are intended for the purpose of this feature.