Therein lies a boy destined for great things, named Jose Rizal grew up with dreams as deep as

the ocean nestled his homeland of islets. Esacping the clutches of UST, he also took with him the
Filipino heart across the seas, into Spain to bring his homeland the thoughts of polished justice
that he was seeking to embellish to the state.

It was the year 1882 took his first steps on his journey outside the Philippines. At the age of 21,
armed with determination and an insatiable thirst for knowledge despite the first time leaving the
Philippines, he set sail for foreign, even the colonizer’s land to pursue higher education, leaving
behind his family and the islets that cradled his childhood, but taking with him his sense of
nationality.

This new era that Rizal found himself in is filled to the brim with excitement, thirst for
knowledge, and apprehension, but all this under the cup of nationalism. His journey was long,
and his home is long way gone but therein lies the next day filled with hope to explore beyond
what he was used to.

To get down to his studying straightaway, Rizal immediately registered at the Central University
of Madrid. While exploring the fields of medicine, literature, and philosophy, he recognized the
predicament faced by his co-Filipinos under Spanish colonialism. The period when he was
abroad had ignited a fire within him and set him on his mission to fight for social justice and
reforms.

Nonetheless, Rizal also found some company in the presence of comrades and friends, such as
teachers and revolutionaries. He enjoyed going to coffee houses and salons where he
energetically debated on various issues and established lifelong relationships with other people
who shared his views on the Philippines' liberation.

Yet, despite the distance from his homeland, Rizal remained connected and concered to the
Philippines. This is where he had realized that the problem was not stemming from the state and
system, but their colonizers, the Spanish friars, and the government itself was the one inhibiting
their development Through letters and correspondence, he was kept aware of the political
developments back home, and his longing for his native land only grew stronger with each
passing day.

In the years that followed, Rizal's journey would take him to various corners of Europe, from the
bustling streets of Paris to the historic landmarks of Heidelberg. Along the way, he continued to
refine his ideas and hone his skills as a writer and activist, becoming a leading voice in the fight
against colonial oppression.

But no matter how far he traveled, Rizal never forgot his roots. His experiences abroad only
served to deepen his love for the Philippines and strengthen his resolve to bring about change.
As Rizal's time in Europe drew to a close, he knew that his journey was far from over. Armed
with the knowledge and inspiration gained from his travels, he returned to his homeland, ready to
embark on a new chapter in his life—one that would see him become not only a national hero but
also a symbol of hope and resilience for generations to come.

And so, the story of Jose Rizal's first trip outside the country was not merely a tale of personal
discovery, but a pivotal moment in the history of the Philippines—a journey that would shape the
destiny of a nation and inspire countless others to follow in his footsteps.