A Story of Unexpected Kindness: The Time a Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dormitory Ground
Back in 2006, My journey took me to the Australian capital for a medical school interview. I figured to book lodging after getting there, however when I arrived, a large conference was taking place and every single budget hostels and affordable lodging were fully booked.
Hailing from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind perhaps I could bed down in the terminal – but soon learned that airport, unlike Singapore’s, does not operate 24 hours. Unsure of how to proceed and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded public transport and began walking in the direction of a gaming venue, reasoning it was a place to spend the evening in a place that was open 24/7. This was not ideal in the ideal condition for nailing the admissions interview the next day, but as a broke student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.
Our society requires more individuals who show such kindness.
It seems I seemed lost because a woman saw me walking aimlessly through downtown and asked whether I needed help. I shared my predicament and right away she suggested I was welcome to sleep on a spare mattress at her university residence at the Australian National University – an ideal turn of events, given that my my interview would take place the next morning. Generously, she also provided me some free dinner: one filled rolls she had from her evening job. This gave me a hot shower and a secure location to rest for the evening.
With hindsight, I can appreciate the enormous leap of faith she took being a woman allowing a male stranger she had only just encountered sleep on her floor. In those days I operated under a bubble of male privilege and did not consider about things like that. Now, as a father, it astounds me she offered that help – but still deeply appreciative.
I didn’t end up study at that university, and I lost touch with her again, but her act remains etched in my mind that incredible gesture of generosity. It is my wish the universe has repaid her generosity many times over. The world needs more individuals with such compassion.
