An Account of Surprising Kindness: When a University Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dormitory Ground

Back in 2006, My journey took me to the Australian capital for an interview at a medical college. My plan was I would book a place to stay after getting there, but once I got there, a major event was in town and every single youth hostels and cheap hotels had no vacancies.

As a visitor from Singapore, I thought the possibility of spend the night at the airport – but quickly found the local airport, not like the one back home, is not open 24 hours. Not knowing quite what to do and growing worried, I caught a bus into town and found myself drifting in the direction of a gaming venue, believing I could pass those hours somewhere that stayed open through the night. That wouldn’t put me at my peak to succeed at an interview the next day, but as a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

The world needs more folks like that woman.

It seems I seemed out of place because a woman spotted me loitering in the city and inquired if I was OK. I recounted my situation and right away she suggested I could crash on the floor of her dormitory at the Australian National University – an ideal turn of events, given that my my medical school interview was the following day. She went further by offering a meal: one of the stuffed baguettes she had from her evening job. This gave me a hot shower and a secure location to rest for the evening.

In retrospect, I now understand what a big chance she undertook as a woman inviting a male stranger she had only just encountered sleep on her floor. Back then I was in my male privilege bubble and was oblivious to the potential danger. Now, as a father, it astounds me she took that chance – yet deeply appreciative.

Ultimately, I did not attending the Australian National University, and I lost touch with her again, but I’ve never forgotten her selfless deed of kindness. I hope karma has returned her act of kindness tenfold. The world needs more folks like that woman.