A Tale of Surprising Generosity: The Time a Student Allowed Me to Stay on Her Dorm Ground

During the year 2006, I traveled to the Australian capital for a medical school interview. I assumed to arrange a place to stay upon arrival, yet upon reaching the city, a major event was taking place and every single backpackers hostels and budget accommodation were completely sold out.

Coming from the city-state of Singapore, I considered maybe I could spend the night at the terminal – but soon learned that airport, unlike Singapore’s, is not open around the clock. Not knowing quite what to do and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded a bus into town and started wandering towards a gaming venue, thinking it was a place to spend those hours somewhere operating through the night. This was not ideal in the ideal condition for acing the admissions interview the next day, yet, as a cash-strapped student, I couldn’t afford.

We could all use more individuals like that woman.

I must have looked confused as a woman noticed me wandering around the city and wondered if everything was alright. I explained the story of my accommodation crisis and without hesitation she suggested I could sleep on the ground at her university residence at the local university – a perfect solution, as that’s where my medical school interview would take place the next morning. She went further by offering a meal: one filled rolls she had taken home her part-time job. I was able to use the bathroom and somewhere safe and secure to spend the night.

Looking back, it’s clear to me the enormous leap of faith she took as a young woman allowing a guy she’d just met sleep on her floor. Back then I operated under my male privilege bubble and not even thinking to the potential danger. As a dad now, it astounds me she took that chance – yet very grateful.

I never did attending ANU, and I didn’t meet the student afterwards, but I’ve never forgotten her amazing act of kindness. I hope life has repaid her act of kindness many times over. The world needs more people like that woman.