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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of 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, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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