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During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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