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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told 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 went to the meeting – but straight off told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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