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During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.

Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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