🔗 Share this article

During 2006, My journey took me to the Australian capital for an admissions interview for medical school. My plan was to book lodging upon arrival, but once I got there, a large conference was taking place and every single backpackers hostels and budget accommodation were fully booked.

Hailing from the city-state of Singapore, I thought maybe I could just sleep at the airport – only to discover the local airport, not like the one back home, closes 24 hours. Not knowing what my next move should be and getting a bit desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and began walking in the direction of the casino, reasoning it was a place to spend the night somewhere that was open through the night. That wouldn’t put me at my peak for nailing the admissions interview the next day, yet, as a cash-strapped student, luxury accommodation was impossible.

We could all use more folks like that woman.

I must have looked lost because a female student spotted me loitering in downtown and inquired if everything was alright. I explained my situation and without hesitation she offered I could crash on a spare mattress of her dormitory at the local university – which was perfect, as that’s where my interview was the following day. Generously, she also provided some food: one of the sandwiches she had from her part-time job. This gave me the bathroom and a secure location and secure to sleep.

In retrospect, I can appreciate what a big chance she accepted being a woman allowing a man she’d just met crash at her place. In those days I existed within my own unawareness and did not consider about things like that. As a dad now, I’m amazed she did that – yet deeply appreciative.

Ultimately, I did not study at ANU, and I never saw the student afterwards, yet her memory has stayed with me that incredible gesture of human compassion. It is my wish the universe has repaid her good deed abundantly. The world needs more people with such compassion.