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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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