A Account of Surprising Generosity: The Time a Student Let Me Sleep on Her Dorm Ground
During the year 2006, I made a trip to the Australian capital for an interview at a medical college. My plan was to arrange a place to stay after getting there, but upon reaching the city, a large conference was in town and all the backpackers hostels and budget accommodation were completely sold out.
Hailing from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind perhaps I could bed down in the terminal – only to discover Canberra airport, not like the one back home, is not open all night. Not knowing how to proceed and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and began walking near a gaming venue, believing I might spend the evening somewhere that was open all night. Admittedly, this plan at my peak to succeed at a crucial interview the following day, yet, as a student on a tight budget, luxury accommodation was impossible.
Our society requires more individuals with such compassion.
I must have looked confused since a young woman spotted me wandering around downtown and inquired if everything was alright. I recounted my situation and without hesitation she said I could crash on a spare mattress in her student dorm at ANU – which was perfect, considering that was where the important interview would take place the next morning. She even offered a meal: a leftover sandwiches she had taken home her evening job. This gave me warm shower facilities and somewhere safe and secure to sleep.
With hindsight, I can appreciate the significant risk she undertook being a woman allowing a male stranger she had only just encountered stay in her room. Back then I was in my own unawareness and did not consider to such safety concerns. As a dad now, I am astonished she took that chance – and remain deeply appreciative.
I never did study at that university, and I lost touch with that kind stranger again, but her act remains etched in my mind her amazing act of kindness. My sincere desire is that life has returned her act of kindness many times over. Our society requires more people who show such kindness.
