A Account of Unexpected Generosity: The Time a Student Let Me Sleep on Her Dormitory Floor
During the year 2006, I made a trip to Canberra for an interview at a medical college. I figured to arrange accommodation after getting there, yet when I arrived, a big convention was taking place and every single youth hostels and cheap hotels had no vacancies.
Coming from the city-state of Singapore, the idea crossed my mind the possibility of spend the night at the terminal – only to discover that airport, not like the one back home, does not operate around the clock. With no idea what my next move should be and feeling increasingly desperate, I hopped on a bus into town and found myself drifting in the direction of the casino, believing I could pass the night in an establishment that stayed open through the night. Admittedly, this plan in the best shape for nailing an interview the next day, but as a broke student, a pricey hotel was out of reach.
Our society requires more folks with such compassion.
Apparently, I appeared lost since a young woman spotted me wandering around downtown and wondered whether I needed help. I explained my predicament and right away she offered I could crash on the floor of her dormitory at the local university – a perfect solution, given that my the important interview was scheduled for the next day. She went further by offering some food: a leftover stuffed baguettes she had from her evening job. This gave me warm shower facilities and a secure location and secure to sleep.
Looking back, I can appreciate the significant risk she undertook as a young woman allowing a man she had only just encountered sleep on her floor. In those days I existed within my own unawareness and did not consider about things like that. As a dad now, it astounds me she offered that help – yet incredibly thankful.
I didn’t end up go to the Australian National University, and I lost touch with that kind stranger again, but her act remains etched in my mind her selfless deed of human compassion. I hope the universe has repaid her act of kindness tenfold. We could all use more individuals who show such kindness.
