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In the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later 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 head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.

Critically, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe 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 forever grateful.

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