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During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.

Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.

The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.

In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.

I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.

I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.

Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.

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