A Story of Surprising Kindness: The Time a University Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dorm Ground
During the year 2006, I traveled to Canberra for an interview at a medical college. I assumed to book lodging when I arrived, but once I got there, a big convention was taking place and all the backpackers hostels and affordable lodging had no vacancies.
As a visitor from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind the possibility of spend the night at the airport – but soon learned Canberra airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, closes all night. With no idea how to proceed and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and started wandering near the casino, believing I might spend the evening in a place operating through the night. That wouldn’t put me at my peak to succeed at an interview the next day, however, being a cash-strapped student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.
Our society requires more individuals like that woman.
Apparently, I appeared out of place because a woman spotted me loitering in the city center and inquired whether I needed help. I recounted my predicament and right away she said I could sleep on a spare mattress at her university residence at the local university – a perfect solution, as that’s where my medical school interview was the following day. She even offered some food: one of the sandwiches she had taken home her work shift. This gave me a hot shower and a protected spot and secure to sleep.
With hindsight, I can appreciate the significant risk she undertook as a young woman letting a male stranger she had only just encountered stay in her room. At that time I existed within my own unawareness and not even thinking about things like that. Now, as a father, it astounds me she offered that help – yet very grateful.
Ultimately, I did not study at ANU, and I lost touch with that kind stranger again, but I’ve never forgotten her amazing act of kindness. I hope life has rewarded her good deed tenfold. We could all use more individuals who show such kindness.
