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During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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