Rizal's Life Abroad (1882-1885)

Study Notes

Rizal left the University of Santo Tomas (UST) due to dissatisfaction with the outdated teaching methods and racial prejudice against Filipino students by Dominican professors.
Rizal's departure was kept secret to avoid detection by Spanish authorities.
Key people who knew about his departure included Paciano (his brother), Antonio Rivera (his uncle and Leonor River's father), Neneng and Lucia (his sisters), Capitan Juan, Capitana Sanday, and the Valenzuela family, and Pedro A. Paterno and Mateo Evangelista.
Rizal's mission was to observe European cultures, languages, customs, commerce, and governments to prepare for liberating the Filipino people from Spanish tyranny.
Rizal adopted the alias José Mercado.
He wrote a farewell letter to his parents and sweetheart, Leonor Rivera, on May 3, 1882.
He departed on the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
He was the only Filipino passenger on the ship.
The ship's captain was Donato Lecha. He was described as affable.
Rizal arrived in Singapore on May 9th, 1882, and stayed at the Hotel de Paz.

Rizal enrolled in two courses at the University Central de Madrid: Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
He studied painting and sculpture at the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts.
He took French, German, and English lessons.
He studied fencing and shooting at the Hall of Arms of Sanzy Carbonell.
Rizal lived a frugal lifestyle, spending money only on necessities.
Rizal completed his studies by obtaining a Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters and a Licentiate in Medicine.

Rizal traveled to Paris and Berlin to specialize in ophthalmology.
He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert.
Rizal's reasons for moving to Berlin included further studying ophthalmology, pursuing knowledge of sciences and languages, observing the economic and political situations in Germany, associating with German scientists and scholars, and potentially publishing his works.
He worked as an assistant to Dr. Schweigger and studied at the University of Berlin at night.

Rizal returned to the Philippines to operate his mother's eyes, support the Filipino population that was suffering under Spanish rule and to find out why Leonor Rivera had remained silent.

Rizal's voyage was pleasant, despite the challenges and loneliness he experienced.
He saw the American progress and energy, and the natural beauty of the country.
Rizal visited with, and experienced the generosity of, various people, including Dr. Uliman and Governor-General Emilio Terrero.
He had romantic encounters and a visit to Japan during his travels.