Narasi Perjuangan

Where do I even begin? Having the chance to study at the University of Indonesia is like a dream come true. I can hardly believe it but I’m officially part of the University of Indonesia family, and the journey to get here has been a whirlwind of emotions and hard work. I hope my story finds you happy and healthy. Let me introduce myself, my name is Marie Bernadette Precious Oktafandi, but everyone calls me Dette. I am beyond excited to tell you my journey on how I ended up in the Faculty of Medicine International Class in University of Indonesia.

It all started when I was just a small child. My dad, who is an OB-GYN, often asked me to accompany him to the hospital where he works. The visits would include meeting his colleagues, getting familiar with the hospital environment, and I get to basically experience first hand what being a doctor is like. Seeing the hardships and the luxury that comes from being a doctor. Even though granted, my whole reason for being a doctor at the time was just a child's thought, seeing my dad having patients come up to him in public just to give thanks for helping their child to be born healthy. But it was from incidents like that that my desire to follow in my father's footsteps to become a doctor began to grow. I really admired him and began to realize how much influence one person can have on another person's life.

Growing up, I found that that’s the kind of person I want to be in the future. I want to make a positive impact on someone… But if the origin story of my dream were really that simple, maybe this narrative would be shorter. So let’s roll back. I have had doubts about actually pursuing medicine along the way. Do you want to know how I was so eager to enter art? I had an active art account during the pandemic circa 2019-2020 where I thought that I was passionate in pursuing arts. Even though the thought of making a hobby into a career isn't exactly up my alley, I was too scared to make a sacrifice so big like being a doctor. I even had thoughts of pursuing film, joining fine arts, going to an art college in Singapore. But still, I never was 100% sure.

This is where my parents started to see my worry. My dad ended up sitting me down and told me that when he was my age, he also went through the same doubtful period. When he was 17 and about to choose his major, he initially wanted to major in architecture. But my grandfather insisted that he should choose a major other than architecture because many of his brothers had also chosen that major. Of course, wanting to please his father, dad complied with his request. My dad said that he had the great idea of choosing a major with a very low probability of entry, so that he can get rejected and instead enter architecture. The major in question is more precisely the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia. Even though hoping to get rejected, my dad isn’t the type of person who likes to do work half-assed, he still tried his best studying for the test. Until finally, the day of the test would come and he could only wait for the results to come out. Feeling secure that he would be going into architecture rather than medicine, he was shocked to see the announcement. His name was included in the data for new students at the Faculty of Medicine UI class of ’83. Cool, right?! The question of how his father could know that dad would be able to make it and enter the Faculty of Medicine at UI is definitely mind baffling. I don't know, my dad doesn't know either. Maybe parents' hunches and prayers really do be invincible. Or maybe it’s just fate.

My struggle started back at my old school before Penabur I was in SMP Santa Ursula BSD. Where I tried to get into their Natural Science class, but they rejected me and tried putting me into Social Sciences. My dad didn’t take that lightly and insisted that I fit in the Natural Sciences class. I agreed with his opinion, but there wasn’t much that they could do since I scored badly on their entry test. He then advised me to change schools altogether and enroll to BPK Penabur Bintaro, where I qualified for their Natural Sciences class. If he didn’t have such a strong vision that I would get accepted into medicine, I don't think he would’ve cared to do such a thing.

Fast forward to highschool, I still had clashing feelings on choosing a major in art or in medicine. But through all that confusion, my dad was always there to guide me through my worries. Honestly this did put me a bit at ease. Slowly but surely it was the start of my turning point of choosing to pursue medical school. Though about my love of art, he also assured me that just because I chose to pursue medicine, I don't have to lose my love of art. That he has friends in medicine who are still pursuing art as a hobby, which after giving it some thought is exactly what I wanted in the first place.

Seeing that story on paper may seem like dad has convinced me to get into medicine against my own will, but I have to assure you that I was a very stubborn teenager. At that point, even though I wasn’t on the fence about medicine compared to how it was before, I was nonetheless still full of fear. Other than having my parents’ support, this period of time really pushed me to do some heavy reflection. I started to keep a journal and write down my thoughts often. As I had mentioned earlier, I wanted to make a positive impact on other people. Through journaling, I recognized that I find the most joy in actively helping people physically and mentally while also getting the chance to hear each of their stories. Plus, I feel like I deserve to live up to my potential. Since all this time I felt like I've constantly been undermining myself.

So fast forward to 12th grade, that's when I really started to fixate on getting into medicine. It felt as if a path had lit up green (coincidentally, the color is makara fk hehe).The thought of going to another faculty/college other than joining UI's Faculty of Medicine dissipated. By this point, I totally moved on from all majors other than medicine. Though many did not support and frankly belittled my choice and ability to enter UI, I wasn't too worried. I knew that the important thing is that I believed in myself and that my family and the people who I care about most fully support and pray for me. All I needed to do now was to prepare myself to get through the entrance tests.

My dad advised me to contact Om Dhimas, a UI Faculty of Medicine International Class alumni, who’s coincidentally my dad's mentee. In fact, he was the one who initially introduced me to FMUI International Class. Through calls and chats with him, I saw my path's light grow stronger. I wanted to get into the International Class! Doing my own research. I found out that the entry to get into FK KKI was either through talent scouting or SIMAK KKI. My school counselor gave me a chance to try out talent scouting. So I soon enrolled and wrote my motivation letter. Unfortunately though, I failed.

The few days after my scheduled UTBK test, before the month of June was where my effort trying to get through SIMAK KKI started. I enrolled in a 30 day study camp program. I had to live in an apartment miles away from home and was given a hefty schedule, starting my studies as soon as 8am, and having each study session for two hours up until 10pm (sometimes It’d go as late as midnight but it was optional). My days during camp was.. Interesting to say the least. I had to completely relearn every chapter and subchapter from highschool but this time it was in English. It was tricky at first to get accustomed to the language change, especially for mathematical terms and physics. But thankfully it didn’t take me too long to get the hang of it.

Looking back, I realized that I really enjoyed my time there. The teachers were all very knowledgeable in their own field. Being in a small classroom with 5 other classmates, this study environment really helped me flourish my curiosity on each of the subjects, whereas in contrast I didn't really get a chance to, back in highschool since there were about 30 kids each class. I enjoyed giving out questions and having great answers in return. I feel like if it weren’t for my teachers, I wouldn't have done as well as I did in the SIMAK KKI test which ultimately led me to where I’m at right now. The month of June really helped me figure out my strengths and flaws, I wish to maintain my strengths and better my flaws coming into FMUI.

I know I still have a long way to go to becoming the doctor figure I wished to be. Therefore I am committed to becoming a well-rounded and compassionate student who embraces both the art and science of medicine. I aspire to be an active and engaged learner, eagerly seeking out opportunities to expand my knowledge. Beyond the textbooks and lectures, I want to be a student who is empathetic and understanding, valuing the importance of effective communication and genuine connections especially with colleagues, GELORA.

Being an ideal doctor extends beyond medical competence, embodying a compassionate and patient-centered approach to healthcare. An ideal doctor is not only a knowledgeable clinician but also a skilled communicator who actively listens to patients' needs and concerns. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), effective communication is integral to patient satisfaction and treatment success [1]. Embracing continuous learning is essential, aligning with the Association of American Medical Colleges' emphasis on lifelong learning to ensure quality patient care [2]. Moreover, an ideal doctor practices cultural competence, respecting patients' diverse backgrounds and beliefs, as highlighted by the National Institutes of Health [3]. In essence, an ideal doctor combines medical expertise with effective communication, empathy, continuous learning, and cultural sensitivity to provide holistic and patient-centered care. I hope that one day I will be able to live up to that figure.

My comprehensive plan to become a successful plastic surgeon involves both short-term and long-term goals. During the preclinical years of medical school, I will build a strong foundation of medical knowledge while actively seeking opportunities to explore plastic and reconstructive surgery through coursework, anatomy, physiology, and surgical principles. I'll participate in shadowing and observation experiences in the plastic surgery department to gain insights into procedures and patient interactions.

After completing my medical degree, I plan to pursue a residency program in plastic and reconstructive surgery. During this training period, I will focus on honing surgical skills, mastering techniques, and participating in research projects. I'll actively seek mentorship, attend conferences, and stay updated on advancements. Following residency, I'll specialize through fellowships in areas like aesthetic surgery or microsurgery. I'll establish a strong professional network and maintain a commitment to patient-centered care, ongoing learning, and ethical practice. Ultimately, my goal is to provide the highest quality of service to my patients while contributing positively to the field of plastic surgery.

To my fellow underclassmen aspiring to join the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia, your journey is filled with immense possibilities and opportunities for growth. The path to becoming a medical professional is not only a testament to your dedication but also a journey of self-discovery. Embrace your passion for science and healing, and let your curiosity drive your learning. Remember that every challenge you face is an opportunity to learn and become better equipped for the future. Surround yourself with peers who share your ambitions, seek mentorship from experienced individuals, and believe in your potential. Your hard work and determination will pave the way for you to make a profound impact on the lives of others. Keep your vision clear, your goals in mind, and remember that your pursuit of becoming a doctor holds the promise of positively shaping the healthcare landscape. You have the capacity to achieve greatness and make a difference – the journey ahead is waiting for you to embark upon it with enthusiasm and perseverance.

Taking a quote that my dad would often say, “Do what you love, love what you do.”

Referensi

1. Effective patient-physician communication [Internet]. American Medical Association [cited 2023 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-patient-communication/effective-patient-physician-communication

2. Lifelong learning for physicians [Internet]. Associated of American Medical Colleges [cited 2023 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.aamc.org/what-we-do/mission-areas/medical-education/lifelong-learning-physicians

3. Cultural competence in health care [Internet]. National Institutes of Health [cited 2023 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institutes-health-nih/office-director-odi/office-communications-public-liaison-ocpl/clear-communication/cultural-competence-health-care