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During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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