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During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated 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 engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a position 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.

The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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