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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

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

I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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