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In the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Because my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” 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 complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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