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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed 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 graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, 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 position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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