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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.

What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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