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During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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