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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off 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 night. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane 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 seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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