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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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