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During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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