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Back in the year 2006, I made a trip to the Australian capital for a medical school interview. My plan was to book accommodation upon arrival, however when I arrived, a major event was taking place and all the backpackers hostels and budget accommodation had no vacancies.

Hailing from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind the possibility of spend the night at the airport – but soon learned Canberra airport, not like the one back home, is not open around the clock. With no idea how to proceed and growing worried, I hopped on a city-bound bus and started wandering towards the casino, believing it was a place to spend the evening in an establishment operating through the night. That wouldn’t put me in the ideal condition for acing an interview the next day, but as a cash-strapped student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

Our society requires more people with such compassion.

Apparently, I appeared confused as a woman spotted me loitering in the city center and asked if I was OK. I explained my situation and immediately she suggested I could crash on a spare mattress in her student dorm at ANU – which was perfect, 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 stuffed baguettes she brought back her evening job. I was able to use the bathroom and a protected spot and secure for the evening.

Looking back, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she took as a woman inviting a male stranger she had only just encountered crash at her place. In those days I operated under my male privilege bubble and not even thinking to such safety concerns. As a dad now, it astounds me she offered that help – and remain very grateful.

I never did study at that university, and I lost touch with that kind stranger again, yet her memory has stayed with me her amazing act of kindness. I hope karma has repaid her act of kindness many times over. The world needs more individuals like that woman.