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During the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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