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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

Critically, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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