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During 2006, I made a trip to the Australian capital for an admissions interview for medical school. My plan was I would book lodging after getting there, yet once I got there, a large conference was in town and every single backpackers hostels and budget accommodation were completely sold out.

As a visitor from the city-state of Singapore, the idea crossed my mind perhaps I could just sleep at the terminal – but soon learned Canberra airport, not like the one back home, does not operate 24 hours. With no idea what my next move should be and feeling increasingly desperate, I boarded a bus into town and found myself drifting towards the casino, believing it was a place to spend those hours in a place that was open all night. This was not ideal in the best shape for nailing the admissions interview the next day, but as a student on a tight budget, a pricey hotel was out of reach.

The world needs more people with such compassion.

It seems I seemed out of place because a young woman noticed me loitering in the city and asked whether I needed help. I explained my predicament and without hesitation she said I could crash on a spare mattress of her dormitory at ANU – which was perfect, considering that was where my interview was the following day. She even offered a meal: one stuffed baguettes she had from her work shift. I had access to warm shower facilities and a protected spot and secure to sleep.

In retrospect, I now understand the significant risk she undertook as a woman letting a male stranger she had only just encountered stay in her room. In those days I was in my own unawareness and not even thinking to the potential danger. Now, as a father, it astounds me she offered that help – yet incredibly thankful.

I never did study at that university, and I never saw the student afterwards, yet her memory has stayed with me her amazing act of human compassion. I hope life has returned her good deed many times over. We could all use more people with such compassion.