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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished 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 – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq walked over to 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 showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.

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

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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