🔗 Share this article

During 2006, I traveled to the Australian capital for a medical school interview. My plan was to book accommodation when I arrived, but once I got there, a large conference was happening and every single backpackers hostels and affordable lodging had no vacancies.

As a visitor from the city-state of Singapore, I thought perhaps I could bed down in the terminal – but quickly found that airport, not like the one back home, does not operate around the clock. Not knowing what my next move should be and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and started wandering towards a gaming venue, 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 for acing an interview the following day, but as a broke student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

The world needs more people who show such kindness.

Apparently, I appeared out of place as a young woman spotted me loitering in downtown and asked whether I needed help. I shared my predicament and without hesitation she suggested I could crash on a spare mattress at her university residence at the local university – which was perfect, considering that was where the important interview was scheduled for the next day. She went further by offering some food: a leftover filled rolls she had taken home her evening job. This gave me the bathroom and somewhere safe and safe for the evening.

Looking back, I now understand what a big chance she accepted as a woman letting a man she’d just met sleep on her floor. Back then I operated under my male privilege bubble and not even thinking about things like that. Now, as a father, I’m amazed she took that chance – but still very grateful.

I never did go to ANU, and I didn’t meet that kind stranger again, but I’ve never forgotten that incredible gesture of human compassion. I hope life has rewarded her act of kindness tenfold. We could all use more people like that woman.