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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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