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During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We arrived at the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.

Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.

He noted that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. 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. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.

What's more, that job in New York 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 set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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