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In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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