For drg. Jordan Benny Pardamean Hutajulu, success did not come through the fastest route. His journey was winding and at times marked by setbacks. However, through perseverance, family support, and strong personal values, Jordan ultimately completed his dental education at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning of the process toward becoming a dentist.
Jordan’s path to a dental degree was far from straightforward. Born into a Batak family in Salatiga, Central Java, he experienced a circuitous academic journey before completing his professional dental education at FKG UGM in December 2025.
A graduate of SMA Negeri 1 Salatiga, Jordan began his higher education by enrolling in the Biology program at Diponegoro University in 2018. His interest in biology and desire to avoid an academic gap motivated this choice. At the same time, he acknowledged that this period also served as preparation for reapplying to dental school.
“At that time, I was still searching for direction. I enjoyed biology, but my desire to become a doctor—especially a dentist—had not completely faded,” said Jordan, who was once the vocalist of the Gadjah Mada Band.
After one year in the international biology program, Jordan reapplied to university and was admitted to FKG UGM through the written examination pathway. This decision was strongly influenced by his mother, a dentist, who served as an inspirational figure in his life.
“Seeing my mother serve patients while managing family responsibilities so well left a deep impression on me. That’s when I realized this might be the right path,” explained Jordan, who was born on November 17, 2001.
Clinical Internship: The Lowest Point and the Turning Point
Jordan admitted that the most challenging phase of his education occurred during his clinical internship (koas). Unlike the structured academic phase, the internship—particularly at the intermediate stage—demanded full independence in time management, patient recruitment, and cross-cultural communication.
“I was completely overwhelmed. Seeing my peers move far ahead while I lagged behind took a serious toll on my mental state,” Jordan recalled.
This situation caused him to withdraw and lose motivation. However, a turning point came when he entered the Community Oral Health (IKGM) rotation, which restored structure and a clear work rhythm. Within approximately six months, Jordan managed to catch up on the backlog he had accumulated.
“I learned one important lesson: don’t give up easily before giving your absolute best,” said the basketball enthusiast.
Life Values and the Spirit of Service
For Jordan, the most important value he continues to uphold is not relying solely on himself. He emphasized the importance of prayer, parental support, and a willingness to do good for others.
His guiding principle is not withholding kindness when one is capable of giving it. According to him, this principle proved highly relevant during his clinical training, from interactions with colleagues to relationships with patients
“Help often comes from unexpected directions,” he noted.
Jordan’s Passion for Music and Technology
Beyond academics, Jordan is actively involved in music, choir activities, and church service. His interest in technology also led him to participate in research projects involving artificial intelligence and virtual reality (VR) for dental education.
These experiences have shaped his future vision. After completing his internship, Jordan plans to work as a clinician before pursuing a master’s degree in a field that integrates dentistry and technology—possibly overseas.
“I want to have added value—not only as a clinical dentist, but also as someone who understands and develops technology for dentistry,” he said.
As an alumnus, Jordan hopes FKG UGM will continue to embrace the introduction and integration of new technologies in education, while maintaining its strength in producing resilient dentists capable of working in diverse field conditions.
“UGM is already very strong in building mental resilience and clinical readiness. Moving forward, openness to technology will make its graduates even more relevant to future developments,” Jordan concluded.
Closing his story, Jordan shared a message for junior students at FKG UGM: keep fighting, do not rely solely on yourself, and never hesitate to ask for your parents’ prayers.
“All the exhaustion will be worth it when we are finally sworn in as dentists,” he said.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono | Photos: Fajar Budi Harsakti & Jordan’s Documentation)
