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During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq 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. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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