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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

What's more, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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