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During the year 2006, I traveled to the Australian capital for an interview at a medical college. My plan was to arrange lodging when I arrived, yet when I arrived, a large conference was taking place and all the backpackers hostels and cheap hotels were completely sold out.

As a visitor from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind perhaps I could bed down in the airport – but quickly found that airport, not like the one back home, is not open all night. With no idea quite what to do and getting a bit desperate, I hopped on public transport and began walking in the direction of a gaming venue, thinking I could pass those hours in a place operating through the night. This was not ideal in the ideal condition for acing an interview the following day, yet, as a broke student, I couldn’t afford.

We could all use more people with such compassion.

It seems I seemed confused because a female student noticed me wandering around the city center and wondered if I was OK. I shared my predicament and without hesitation she said I was welcome to sleep on the floor in her student dorm at ANU – a perfect solution, given that my my interview was scheduled for the next day. She even offered some food: one of the sandwiches she had from her part-time job. I was able to use a hot shower and somewhere safe and safe for the evening.

With hindsight, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she accepted being a woman letting a guy 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. As a dad now, it astounds me she offered that help – yet deeply appreciative.

I didn’t end up attending the Australian National University, and I didn’t meet the student afterwards, but I’ve never forgotten her selfless deed of kindness. I hope life has repaid her good deed abundantly. The world needs more folks like that woman.