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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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