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During 2006, I traveled to Canberra for a medical school interview. My plan was to book lodging upon arrival, but when I arrived, a large conference was happening and all the budget hostels and affordable lodging had no vacancies.

Coming from the city-state of Singapore, I thought maybe I could bed down in the terminal – but soon learned that airport, unlike Singapore’s, closes around the clock. Unsure of how to proceed and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded public transport and started wandering towards a gaming venue, believing it was a place to spend the night somewhere operating 24/7. That wouldn’t put me in the best shape for acing a crucial interview the next morning, yet, as a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

We could all use more folks who show such kindness.

It seems I seemed lost since a young woman noticed me wandering around the city and asked if I was OK. I recounted my predicament and immediately she suggested I could sleep on a spare mattress in her student dorm at the local university – a perfect solution, given that my the important interview would take place the next morning. She even offered a meal: a leftover sandwiches she had from her evening job. I was able to use the bathroom and a protected spot to rest to sleep.

In retrospect, I now understand the significant risk she took being a woman inviting a man who was a complete stranger sleep on her floor. In those days I existed within my male privilege bubble and not even thinking to such safety concerns. As a dad now, it astounds me she offered that help – but still very grateful.

Ultimately, I did not go to the Australian National University, and I lost touch with that kind stranger again, but I’ve never forgotten that incredible gesture of kindness. My sincere desire is that life has returned her good deed many times over. We could all use more folks like that woman.