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During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.

The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.

I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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