🔗 Share this article

Back in 2006, I traveled to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. I figured I would book lodging after getting there, however once I got there, a major event was happening and every single youth hostels and cheap hotels were completely sold out.

Hailing from Singapore, I thought perhaps I could just sleep at the airport – but soon learned Canberra airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, is not open around the clock. Not knowing how to proceed and getting a bit desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and began walking in the direction of the casino, thinking it was a place to spend the night in a place that stayed open through the night. That wouldn’t put me in the ideal condition to succeed at the admissions interview the next morning, however, being a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

We could all use more folks like that woman.

I must have looked out of place as a young woman saw me walking aimlessly through the city center and wondered if everything was alright. I recounted my situation and immediately she said I could crash on the floor in her student dorm at the Australian National University – which was perfect, given that my my interview was the following day. She went further by offering a meal: one of the sandwiches she had taken home her evening job. This gave me a hot shower and a secure location and secure to sleep.

With hindsight, it’s clear to me the significant risk she took as a young woman inviting a guy she’d just met crash at her place. Back then I operated under my male privilege bubble and was oblivious about things like that. Now, as a father, I’m amazed she offered that help – and remain incredibly thankful.

I never did attending ANU, and I lost touch with her again, but I’ve never forgotten that incredible gesture of human compassion. I hope life has returned her good deed many times over. Our society requires more individuals who show such kindness.