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During 2006, I made a trip to the Australian capital for a medical school interview. My plan was I would book lodging after getting there, yet upon reaching the city, a large conference was happening and all the youth hostels and cheap hotels had no vacancies.

As a visitor from the city-state of Singapore, the idea crossed my mind perhaps I could bed down in the terminal – but soon learned the local airport, not like the one back home, does not operate all night. With no idea quite what to do and feeling increasingly desperate, I caught a city-bound bus and found myself drifting towards the casino, reasoning I might spend the evening somewhere operating 24/7. Admittedly, this plan at my peak for nailing the admissions interview the following day, but as a broke student, I couldn’t afford.

Our society requires more people with such compassion.

It seems I seemed confused since a woman noticed me wandering around the city center and wondered if everything was alright. I recounted my predicament and right away she offered I could sleep on the floor at her university residence at ANU – an ideal turn of events, as that’s where my medical school interview would take place the next morning. She even offered a meal: one sandwiches she brought back her part-time job. I had access to the bathroom and somewhere safe and secure to spend the night.

With hindsight, it’s clear to me what a big chance she took as a woman inviting a male stranger she’d just met sleep on her floor. Back then I operated under my own unawareness and did not consider to the potential danger. As a dad now, it astounds me she did that – but still deeply appreciative.

I didn’t end up attending the Australian National University, and I didn’t meet the student afterwards, but her act remains etched in my mind her amazing act of human compassion. My sincere desire is that karma has returned her act of kindness many times over. The world needs more individuals who show such kindness.