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During 2006, I traveled to the Australian capital for an admissions interview for medical school. My plan was to book accommodation after getting there, but when I arrived, a large conference was in town and all the budget hostels and cheap hotels were fully booked.

As a visitor from Singapore, the idea crossed my mind the possibility of bed down in the airport – but soon learned the local airport, in contrast to Changi Airport, does not operate 24 hours. Not knowing how to proceed and getting a bit desperate, I caught a bus into town and started wandering near a gaming venue, reasoning I could pass the evening in an establishment operating through the night. This was not ideal at my peak for acing an interview the following day, but as a broke student, luxury accommodation was impossible.

We could all use more people like that woman.

It seems I seemed out of place as a young woman saw me walking aimlessly through the city and wondered if I was OK. I recounted the story of my accommodation crisis and right away she suggested I was welcome to sleep on the floor in her student dorm at the local university – which was perfect, given that my my medical school interview would take place the next morning. She even offered some food: a leftover stuffed baguettes she had taken home her work shift. I had access to the bathroom and a secure location and safe to sleep.

With hindsight, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she undertook as a woman letting a guy she had only just encountered stay in her room. Back then I was in my male privilege bubble and did not consider about things like that. As a dad now, it astounds me she did that – but still incredibly thankful.

I didn’t end up go to that university, and I lost touch with the student afterwards, but her act remains etched in my mind that incredible gesture of generosity. I hope the universe has returned her generosity abundantly. The world needs more individuals who show such kindness.