An Tale of Unexpected Kindness: The Time a Student Let Me Sleep on Her Dorm Ground
During the year 2006, I made a trip to Canberra for an interview at a medical college. My plan was to arrange a place to stay after getting there, but when I arrived, a large conference was taking place and every single youth hostels and budget accommodation had no vacancies.
As a visitor from the city-state of Singapore, I thought perhaps I could spend the night at the airport – but quickly found the local airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, does not operate all night. With no idea quite what to do and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and started wandering in the direction of the casino, thinking I could pass those hours somewhere that was open through the night. This was not ideal in the best shape for nailing the admissions interview the following day, yet, as a broke student, luxury accommodation was impossible.
Our society requires more folks with such compassion.
It seems I seemed confused as a young woman noticed me walking aimlessly through the city center and asked whether I needed help. I recounted the story of my accommodation crisis and immediately she suggested I could sleep on the ground at her university residence at the local university – an ideal turn of events, considering that was where my medical school interview was the following day. She went further by offering some food: a leftover stuffed baguettes she brought back her work shift. I was able to use a hot shower and somewhere safe and secure to spend the night.
With hindsight, I can appreciate what a big chance she accepted as a woman allowing a male stranger she had only just encountered stay in her room. Back then I existed within a bubble of male privilege and was oblivious about things like that. Today, as a parent, it astounds me she took that chance – and remain incredibly thankful.
I didn’t end up study at the Australian National University, and I didn’t meet that kind stranger again, but I’ve never forgotten her amazing act of human compassion. I hope karma has returned her good deed abundantly. Our society requires more individuals with such compassion.
