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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We got to the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped 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 paved the way for a job in Zurich 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 changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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