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During the year 2006, My journey took me to Canberra for a medical school interview. I assumed to book lodging when I arrived, but upon reaching the city, a large conference was in town and all the budget hostels and cheap hotels were completely sold out.

As a visitor from Singapore, I thought maybe I could just sleep at the terminal – but soon learned the local airport, unlike Singapore’s, closes 24 hours. With no idea what my next move should be and getting a bit desperate, I hopped on a city-bound bus and began walking towards the casino, believing it was a place to spend those hours somewhere operating all night. This was not ideal in the best shape for nailing a crucial interview the following day, yet, as a broke student, luxury accommodation was impossible.

Our society requires more individuals like that woman.

I must have looked confused because a woman spotted me wandering around downtown and wondered if I was OK. I shared the story of my accommodation crisis and immediately she offered I could sleep on the floor at her university residence at ANU – a perfect solution, as that’s where the important interview would take place the next morning. She even offered some food: a leftover sandwiches she had from her evening job. This gave me a hot shower and a secure location and safe to sleep.

In retrospect, I now understand the enormous leap of faith she accepted being a woman inviting a man who was a complete stranger crash at her place. In those days I was in my own unawareness and did not consider to the potential danger. Today, as a parent, it astounds me she did that – and remain very grateful.

I never did study at ANU, and I never saw the student afterwards, yet her memory has stayed with me her selfless deed of kindness. It is my wish karma has repaid her good deed many times over. Our society requires more people like that woman.