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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.

He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately 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 everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education 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 identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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