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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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