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In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish 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 changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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