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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.

Critically, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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