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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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