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In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

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 consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – 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 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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