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In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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