An Tale of Unexpected Kindness: When a University Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dorm Floor

Back in 2006, My journey took me to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. I assumed I would book lodging after getting there, yet when I arrived, a big convention was in town and every single budget hostels and affordable lodging had no vacancies.

Hailing from the city-state of Singapore, I thought maybe I could spend the night at the airport – only to discover the local airport, unlike Singapore’s, closes all night. With no idea quite what to do and growing worried, I hopped on a bus into town and started wandering towards a gaming venue, believing it was a place to spend those hours in an establishment that stayed open 24/7. Admittedly, this plan in the ideal condition for acing the admissions interview the next day, yet, as a broke student, luxury accommodation was impossible.

We could all use more individuals like that woman.

I must have looked out of place as a young woman spotted me walking aimlessly through the city and wondered if I was OK. I shared my situation and without hesitation she suggested I was welcome to sleep on the ground of her dormitory at the Australian National University – an ideal turn of events, as that’s where my medical school interview would take place the next morning. Generously, she also provided me some free dinner: one sandwiches she had taken home her work shift. I was able to use a hot shower and a protected spot to rest to spend the night.

Looking back, I can appreciate the enormous leap of faith she undertook being a woman letting a man she’d just met crash at her place. Back then I existed within a bubble of male privilege and not even thinking about things like that. As a dad now, I’m amazed she took that chance – yet deeply appreciative.

Ultimately, I did not go to ANU, and I didn’t meet the student afterwards, but I’ve never forgotten her amazing act of human compassion. I hope the universe has repaid her good deed abundantly. Our society requires more individuals who show such kindness.