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In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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