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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.

Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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