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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 companion. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.

We got to the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.

Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.

I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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