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Back in the year 2006, I made a trip to the Australian capital for an interview at a medical college. My plan was I would book lodging when I arrived, but when I arrived, a large conference was taking place and every single backpackers hostels and cheap hotels had no vacancies.

As a visitor from Singapore, I considered perhaps I could just sleep at the airport – but quickly found the local airport, not like the one back home, is not open all night. Not knowing quite what to do and growing worried, I caught public transport and started wandering in the direction of the casino, reasoning I could pass the night somewhere operating through the night. That wouldn’t put me in the ideal condition for acing the admissions interview the following day, yet, as a broke student, luxury accommodation was impossible.

We could all use more folks who show such kindness.

I must have looked lost because a woman spotted me wandering around the city and wondered if everything was alright. I explained my situation and immediately she suggested I could crash on a spare mattress at her university residence at the local university – a perfect solution, considering that was where my medical school interview was the following day. Generously, she also provided a meal: one of the filled rolls she had taken home her work shift. This gave me the bathroom and a secure location and safe for the evening.

Looking back, I now understand the significant risk she accepted as a young woman letting a male stranger she’d just met stay in her room. At that time I was in a bubble of male privilege and not even thinking to the potential danger. Now, as a father, it astounds me she took that chance – and remain deeply appreciative.

I didn’t end up go to that university, and I didn’t meet the student afterwards, yet her memory has stayed with me her selfless deed of kindness. It is my wish the universe has returned her good deed abundantly. Our society requires more folks with such compassion.