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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion 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 right away informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

Critically, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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