A Tale of Unexpected Kindness: The Time a Student Let Me Sleep on Her Dormitory Ground
During the year 2006, I made a trip to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. My plan was I would book lodging when I arrived, yet once I got there, a large conference was happening and every single budget hostels and budget accommodation had no vacancies.
Hailing from the city-state of Singapore, I thought maybe I could just sleep at the airport – but quickly found Canberra airport, unlike Singapore’s, does not operate all night. Not knowing how to proceed and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded public transport and started wandering towards the casino, reasoning it was a place to spend those hours somewhere that was open through the night. That wouldn’t put me in the ideal condition for nailing a crucial interview the next morning, yet, as a cash-strapped student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.
Our society requires more people with such compassion.
Apparently, I appeared confused as a woman spotted me walking aimlessly through the city and asked whether I needed help. I recounted the story of my accommodation crisis and immediately she said I was welcome to sleep on the floor at her university residence at the local university – which was perfect, given that my the important interview was scheduled for the next day. Generously, she also provided some food: one of the sandwiches she brought back her evening job. This gave me a hot shower and a secure location to rest to spend the night.
Looking back, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she accepted being a woman allowing a man who was a complete stranger stay in her room. Back then I was in a bubble of male privilege and was oblivious about things like that. Now, as a father, I’m amazed she did that – and remain incredibly thankful.
Ultimately, I did not study at the Australian National University, and I lost touch with the student afterwards, yet her memory has stayed with me her selfless deed of human compassion. It is my wish the universe has repaid her generosity many times over. The world needs more people with such compassion.
