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During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We reached the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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