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Back in the year 2006, I made a trip to Canberra for an interview at a medical college. I figured to book lodging after getting there, but once I got there, a big convention was taking place and every single youth hostels and affordable lodging were fully booked.

As a visitor from Singapore, I thought maybe I could bed down in the terminal – but quickly found that airport, not like the one back home, closes 24 hours. Not knowing quite what to do and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded public transport and started wandering towards a gaming venue, reasoning I might spend the night in an establishment that stayed open 24/7. This was not ideal in the ideal condition for nailing an interview the next day, but as a broke student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

We could all use more individuals with such compassion.

I must have looked confused because a female student noticed me loitering in downtown and inquired if I was OK. I shared my predicament and immediately she said I was welcome to sleep on the floor of her dormitory at the Australian National University – a perfect solution, given that my my medical school interview was the following day. She went further by offering some food: one stuffed baguettes she had from her part-time job. This gave me a hot shower and somewhere safe and safe to spend the night.

With hindsight, it’s clear to me what a big chance she took as a woman allowing a guy who was a complete stranger crash at her place. In those days I operated under a bubble of male privilege and not even thinking about things like that. As a dad now, I am astonished she did that – but still incredibly thankful.

Ultimately, I did not attending ANU, and I didn’t meet her again, but her act remains etched in my mind her amazing act of kindness. I hope life has repaid her generosity many times over. The world needs more people who show such kindness.