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Back in the year 2006, I traveled to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. I figured to book accommodation upon arrival, yet upon reaching the city, a large conference was happening and all the budget hostels and cheap hotels were completely sold out.

Coming from Singapore, I thought the possibility of just sleep at the terminal – but soon learned the local airport, not like the one back home, does not operate all night. With no idea quite what to do and getting a bit desperate, I boarded a city-bound bus and started wandering in the direction of a gaming venue, reasoning I might spend the night somewhere operating 24/7. That wouldn’t put me in the best shape for nailing a crucial interview the next day, but as a broke student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

Our society requires more people like that woman.

Apparently, I appeared out of place because a woman spotted me loitering in the city and wondered if I was OK. I recounted my predicament and right away she suggested I could crash on the ground of her dormitory at the local university – an ideal turn of events, considering that was where my interview would take place the next morning. Generously, she also provided me some free dinner: one of the stuffed baguettes she brought back her part-time job. I had access to the bathroom and somewhere safe to rest to spend the night.

With hindsight, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she undertook being a woman letting a guy she’d just met crash at her place. In those days I existed within my own unawareness and was oblivious to such safety concerns. Now, as a father, it astounds me she took that chance – yet very grateful.

Ultimately, I did not go to ANU, and I never saw that kind stranger again, but her act remains etched in my mind her selfless deed of kindness. I hope karma has returned her good deed many times over. Our society requires more people with such compassion.