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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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