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In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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