Rizal's Journey: Philippines to Spain

• After his 4th year at the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal was unhappy with the outdated teaching methods and the racial bias shown by Dominican professors towards Filipino students, leading to his decision to continue studies in Spain.
• It's believed Rizal went to Spain to study European life, culture, languages, customs, industries, commerce, governments, and laws, preparing to free his people from Spanish rule.

Departure and Singapore

• May 3, 1882: Rizal secretly left the Philippines on the Spanish steamer Salvadora, headed for Singapore.
• May 9, 1882: The Salvadora arrived in Singapore, where Rizal stayed at Hotel de la Paz and spent two days visiting Buddhist temples, the Botanical Garden, and the statue of Sir Thomas Stanford.
• May 11, 1882: Rizal boarded the French steamer Djemnah, leaving Singapore for Colombo.

Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

• May 17, 1882: The Djemnah reached Point Galle, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), which Rizal found picturesque but lonely and sad.
• Rizal described Colombo as more beautiful, smart, and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and Manila.

First Trip Through Suez Canal

• While crossing the Indian Ocean Rizal sighted Africa and described it as “famous but inhospitable land”.
• In Aden, Rizal went ashore and saw a camel for the first time.
• In the city of Suez, Rizal was impressed by the beautiful moonlight.
• It took five days for the Djemnah to cross the Suez Canal.
• In Port Said, Rizal was fascinated by the multiracial inhabitants speaking many languages.

Europe

• June 11, 1882: Rizal arrived in Naples, Italy, impressed by its business, people, and beauty.
• June 12, 1882: Rizal's steamer docked in Marseilles, France, where he visited famous spots during a two-and-a-half-day stay.

Barcelona

• June 16, 1882: Rizal arrived in Barcelona by train, welcomed by Filipinos from Ateneo.
• Rizal's initial unfavorable impression of Barcelona shifted to seeing it as a city of freedom, liberalism, and courageous people.
• August 20, 1882: Amor Patrio, Rizal's first article on Spanish soil, was published in Diariong Tagalog under the pen name "Laong Laan," later translated to Tagalog by M.H. Del Pilar.
• Rizal also wrote a second article, Los Viajes (Travels), for the same newspaper.
• September 15, 1882: Rizal received news of a cholera outbreak in the Philippines and that Leonor Rivera was missing him.

Madrid

• Fall 1882: Rizal moved from Barcelona to Madrid.
• November 3, 1882: Rizal enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid, studying Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
• He studied painting and sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, took French, German, and English lessons, and practiced fencing and shooting.
• Rizal enjoyed reading and built a private library, influenced by "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "The Wandering Jew".
• He visited Don Pablo Ortiga y Perez's home on Saturday evenings.
• Consuelo Ortiga y Perez fell in love with Rizal, who wrote the poem “A La Señorita C.O.y. P” for her.
• Rizal dismissed his feelings for Consuelo because of his commitment to Leonor Rivera and Eduardo de Lete's love for her.

Activities in Madrid

• 1882: Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino and wrote "Mi Piden Versos," which he recited at a New Year’s Eve reception.
• March 1883: Rizal joined Freemasonry to gain support against the friars, later becoming a Master Mason.
• Rizal's only Masonic writing was a lecture titled “Science, Virtue and Labor”.

Paris (June 17- August 20, 1883)

• Rizal found Paris to be the most expensive capital in Europe.
• During his summer visit, he was amused by the sights of Paris.
• He observed French life and visited Dr. Nicaise and the Lariboisiere Hospital
• Rizal's family in Calamba faced locusts, drought, and increased land rentals, causing him financial difficulties in Madrid.
• Rizal helped Calamba to initiate a legal battle versus the Dominicans re: land ownership.
• Rizal's allowances were often late or nonexistent, even causing him to miss breakfast.

Brindis Speech

• Rizal gave a speech celebrating Juan Luna and Felix Resurrection Hidalgo's art awards in Madrid.
• The speech was well-received for its nobility, rhetoric, sincerity, and eloquence.

Involvement in Student Demonstration

• November 20-22, 1884: Rizal participated in a student riot at the Central University of Madrid after Dr. Miguel Morayta was excommunicated for wanting to separate Catholic doctrines and science.

Studies Completed in Spain

• June 21, 1884: Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine, becoming a qualified physician.
• June 19, 1885: Rizal obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with sobresaliente.
• Academic year 1884-1885: Rizal completed studies for a Doctor of Medicine degree but did not receive the diploma.
• The diploma was not awarded because he didn't present a thesis or pay tuition fees.
• Rizal didn't pursue the doctorate, as it was mainly for teaching, and he believed no friar-owned university in the Philippines would hire him due to his race.

Rizal's discontent with the University of Santo Tomas led him to Spain. He aimed to study European culture and prepare for liberating the Philippines from Spanish rule. His journey began in 1882, secretly departing for Singapore and then Ceylon.