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During 2006, I traveled to Canberra for a medical school interview. My plan was to arrange accommodation upon arrival, yet upon reaching the city, a big convention was in town and every single backpackers hostels and cheap hotels had no vacancies.

Coming from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind perhaps I could just sleep at the airport – but soon learned that airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, is not open around the clock. Not knowing quite what to do and growing worried, I boarded a bus into town and found myself drifting in the direction of the casino, thinking I might spend the evening in an establishment that stayed open all night. This was not ideal at my peak to succeed at the admissions interview the next day, but as a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

We could all use more people like that woman.

Apparently, I appeared lost since a female student noticed me wandering around the city center and asked whether I needed help. I recounted the story of my accommodation crisis and without hesitation she suggested I was welcome to sleep on the ground at her university residence at the Australian National University – a perfect solution, considering that was where my medical school interview would take place the next morning. Generously, she also provided me some free dinner: one of the sandwiches she brought back her part-time job. I had access to the bathroom and somewhere safe and secure for the evening.

Looking back, I now understand the significant risk she accepted as a young woman inviting a man she had only just encountered crash at her place. Back then I operated under my male privilege bubble and was oblivious about things like that. As a dad now, I am astonished she did that – yet deeply appreciative.

I didn’t end up attending that university, and I didn’t meet the student afterwards, but I’ve never forgotten her selfless deed of human compassion. My sincere desire is that the universe has returned her good deed tenfold. The world needs more folks with such compassion.