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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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