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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering 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 gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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