A Tale of Surprising Generosity: When a University Student Allowed Me to Sleep on Her Dormitory Floor
Back in the year 2006, My journey took me to Canberra for an admissions interview for medical school. My plan was to arrange accommodation after getting there, however once I got there, a major event was taking place and all the backpackers hostels and cheap hotels were completely sold out.
Hailing from Singapore, I considered the possibility of just sleep at the terminal – but soon learned the local airport, not like the one back home, closes 24 hours. With no idea quite what to do and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on public transport and began walking in the direction of the casino, thinking I could pass the night in a place operating all night. That wouldn’t put me in the ideal condition to succeed at the admissions interview the following day, however, being a broke student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.
We could all use more folks like that woman.
It seems I seemed out of place because a woman spotted me wandering around the city and asked if I was OK. I shared the story of my accommodation crisis and without hesitation she said I could sleep on the ground in her student dorm at the Australian National University – a perfect solution, considering that was where my interview was scheduled for the next day. Generously, she also provided a meal: one of the sandwiches she brought back her evening job. I had access to a hot shower and a protected spot and secure to sleep.
Looking back, I can appreciate the enormous leap of faith she undertook as a young woman letting a male stranger she had only just encountered stay in her room. At that time I operated under my male privilege bubble and was oblivious about things like that. As a dad now, it astounds me she did that – and remain incredibly thankful.
I didn’t end up study at the Australian National University, and I lost touch with the student afterwards, but her act remains etched in my mind her amazing act of kindness. It is my wish life has rewarded her generosity many times over. The world needs more people with such compassion.
