An Tale of Unexpected Generosity: When a University Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dormitory Floor

During 2006, My journey took me to the Australian capital for an interview at a medical college. My plan was I would book lodging after getting there, yet upon reaching the city, a large conference was in town and all the youth hostels and affordable lodging had no vacancies.

Coming from Singapore, I considered the possibility of just sleep at the airport – only to discover that airport, not like the one back home, does not operate all night. Unsure of how to proceed and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on public transport and began walking towards the casino, thinking it was a place to spend the night in a place that stayed open 24/7. This was not ideal in the ideal condition for acing the admissions 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 lost since a woman noticed me loitering in the city and wondered whether I needed help. I recounted my situation and immediately she offered I could sleep on a spare mattress at her university residence at the Australian National University – a perfect solution, considering that was where my medical school interview would take place the next morning. Generously, she also provided some food: a leftover filled rolls she had taken home her work shift. This gave me the bathroom and a protected spot and secure to sleep.

In retrospect, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she undertook being a woman allowing a male stranger she had only just encountered stay in her room. At that time I operated under a bubble of male privilege and did not consider about things like that. Today, as a parent, it astounds me she offered that help – and remain deeply appreciative.

I didn’t end up go to the Australian National University, and I never saw her again, but I’ve never forgotten that incredible gesture of generosity. My sincere desire is that the universe has returned her generosity tenfold. We could all use more people with such compassion.