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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Because my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

Critically, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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