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Back in the year 2006, I traveled to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. I assumed to arrange a place to stay after getting there, however upon reaching the city, a large conference was taking place and every single budget hostels and affordable lodging were fully booked.

Hailing from the city-state of Singapore, I considered perhaps I could just sleep at the terminal – but soon learned Canberra airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, does not operate 24 hours. With no idea how to proceed and growing worried, I caught a bus into town and started wandering towards the casino, thinking I could pass the evening in a place that was open through the night. This was not ideal in the ideal condition to succeed at an interview the next day, however, being a broke student, I couldn’t afford.

We could all use more individuals like that woman.

I must have looked confused since a female student noticed me walking aimlessly through downtown and wondered if I was OK. I shared the story of my accommodation crisis and right away she said I could sleep on the ground of her dormitory at the local university – a perfect solution, as that’s where my interview was scheduled for the next day. She even offered a meal: a leftover stuffed baguettes she brought back her part-time job. This gave me a hot shower and a protected spot to rest to sleep.

In retrospect, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she undertook as a young woman letting a male stranger she’d just met sleep on her floor. In those days I operated under my own unawareness and not even thinking to the potential danger. Today, as a parent, I’m amazed she did that – yet incredibly thankful.

Ultimately, I did not go to that university, and I never saw her again, but her act remains etched in my mind that incredible gesture of generosity. I hope karma has repaid her generosity many times over. Our society requires more people with such compassion.