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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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