An Account of Unexpected Kindness: When a Student Let Me Stay on Her Dorm Ground

Back in the year 2006, I made a trip to Canberra for an interview at a medical college. I figured I would book a place to stay after getting there, however when I arrived, a large conference was taking place and every single youth hostels and cheap hotels were completely sold out.

As a visitor from the city-state of Singapore, the idea crossed my mind maybe I could bed down in the terminal – but quickly found that airport, unlike Singapore’s, does not operate all night. Not knowing what my next move should be and getting a bit desperate, I caught public transport and started wandering towards a gaming venue, thinking I could pass the night in a place that was open through the night. Admittedly, this plan in the best shape for nailing the admissions interview the next day, however, being a broke student, I couldn’t afford.

The world needs more people like that woman.

I must have looked out of place because a woman saw me wandering around downtown and inquired if I was OK. I explained my situation and right away she offered I was welcome to sleep on the floor of her dormitory at ANU – a perfect solution, given that my my medical school interview was the following day. She went further by offering some food: a leftover sandwiches she had taken home her evening job. This gave me a hot shower and somewhere safe and safe to spend the night.

With hindsight, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she took being a woman letting a man she had only just encountered crash at her place. At that time I existed within my male privilege bubble and was oblivious about things like that. Now, as a father, it astounds me she took that chance – but still deeply appreciative.

I didn’t end up study at ANU, and I never saw the student afterwards, but I’ve never forgotten her amazing act of human compassion. My sincere desire is that life has repaid her generosity many times over. Our society requires more people who show such kindness.