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During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. 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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