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During the year 2006, I traveled to Canberra for an interview at a medical college. I assumed to book a place to stay when I arrived, but when I arrived, a large conference was in town and all the youth hostels and affordable lodging were fully booked.

Coming from the city-state of Singapore, I thought perhaps I could bed down in the airport – but quickly found the local airport, not like the one back home, is not open all night. Not knowing quite what to do and growing worried, I caught a bus into town and began walking in the direction of a gaming venue, believing it was a place to spend those hours in a place that stayed open through the night. Admittedly, this plan at my peak for nailing an interview the following day, yet, as a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

We could all use more individuals with such compassion.

I must have looked out of place since a woman saw me wandering around the city and inquired if I was OK. I recounted my situation and without hesitation she said I could sleep on a spare mattress of her dormitory at the Australian National University – a perfect solution, given that my my interview would take place the next morning. She even offered a meal: one of the stuffed baguettes she brought back her part-time job. This gave me the bathroom and a secure location and safe for the evening.

In retrospect, I can appreciate what a big chance she took being a woman allowing a man she had only just encountered sleep on her floor. In those days I was in my own unawareness and was oblivious about things like that. Now, as a father, it astounds me she took that chance – yet incredibly thankful.

I never did go to that university, and I lost touch with the student afterwards, but her act remains etched in my mind her selfless deed of kindness. I hope life has rewarded her generosity many times over. The world needs more people with such compassion.