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During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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