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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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