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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my prospective employer 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 responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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