An Story of Unexpected Kindness: When a Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dormitory Ground
During 2006, My journey took me to the Australian capital for an admissions interview for medical school. My plan was to arrange accommodation after getting there, but when I arrived, a major event was in town and all the budget hostels and budget accommodation were fully booked.
As a visitor from the city-state of Singapore, I considered the possibility of bed down in the terminal – but quickly found Canberra airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, is not open 24 hours. With no idea what my next move should be and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded a city-bound bus and started wandering in the direction of a gaming venue, thinking I might spend those hours in a place operating through the night. This was not ideal at my peak to succeed at an interview the next day, however, being a student on a tight budget, I couldn’t afford.
We could all use more folks with such compassion.
Apparently, I appeared out of place because a female student noticed me wandering around downtown and asked if I was OK. I shared the story of my accommodation crisis and without hesitation she suggested I could sleep on the ground at her university residence at the Australian National University – a perfect solution, given that my my medical school interview was scheduled for the next day. She went further by offering a meal: one of the filled rolls she had taken home her evening job. I had access to warm shower facilities and a secure location and safe to spend the night.
Looking back, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she undertook as a young woman letting a male stranger who was a complete stranger crash at her place. Back then I was in my male privilege bubble and was oblivious to such safety concerns. As a dad now, it astounds me she offered that help – and remain incredibly thankful.
Ultimately, I did not go to that university, and I never saw her again, but her act remains etched in my mind her amazing act of kindness. I hope life has returned her generosity tenfold. We could all use more individuals with such compassion.
