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In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

What's more, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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