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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” 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 also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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