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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.

The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.

What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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