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In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.

Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, 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 missed my plane to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Critically, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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