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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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