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During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have 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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