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During the year 2006, I made a trip to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. I assumed to book a place to stay when I arrived, yet upon reaching the city, a large conference was taking place and every single backpackers hostels and affordable lodging had no vacancies.

As a visitor from Singapore, I thought maybe I could just sleep at the terminal – but soon learned that airport, unlike Singapore’s, closes 24 hours. Not knowing quite what to do and feeling increasingly desperate, I caught public transport and began walking towards the casino, thinking it was a place to spend the evening in a place operating 24/7. That wouldn’t put me at my peak for acing an interview the next morning, however, being a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

Our society requires more folks with such compassion.

I must have looked lost as a woman spotted me wandering around the city center and inquired if I was OK. I explained the story of my accommodation crisis and immediately she said I could sleep on the ground in her student dorm at ANU – a perfect solution, as that’s where my interview was scheduled for the next day. Generously, she also provided a meal: one of the filled rolls she had from her part-time job. This gave me the bathroom and somewhere safe and safe to spend the night.

Looking back, I now understand what a big chance she undertook as a woman inviting a male stranger who was a complete stranger sleep on her floor. At that time I was in my own unawareness and was oblivious about things like that. Now, as a father, it astounds me she took that chance – and remain incredibly thankful.

I didn’t end up attending the Australian National University, and I never saw the student afterwards, but I’ve never forgotten her amazing act of kindness. I hope the universe has repaid her act of kindness many times over. We could all use more individuals who show such kindness.