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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a job 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 Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

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

I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Critically, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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