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In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.

We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me 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 using an electron microscope.

He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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