 Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas

(1877-1882)
 First Sojourn in Europe: SPAIN
“But as God has not made anything useless in this world, as all being
fulfill obligations or a role in the sublime drama of Creation, I cannot
exempt myself from this duty, and small though it be, I too have a
mission to fill, as for example: alleviating the sufferingsof my fellow-
men. I realized that all this means sacrifices, and terrible ones. I
imagine the pain which I must give you, but I feel something that
obliges and imples me to leave. I shall strive with fate, and I sham win
or loose…God’s will be done”

- Rizal’s letter to his parents -

-excerpt from Paciano’s response letter to Rizal (1878)
Manila to Singapore
 May 3, 1882 on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora
 May 9, 1882 docked at Singapore
 With its scenic beauty he remembered “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga”

Singapore to Colombo
 May 11, 1882 on board the ship Djemnah (French steamer)
 May 18, 1882 reached Colombo (capital of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka)

“Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and
Manila”
Suez Canal Trip
 Still on board Djemnah
 Crossing Indian Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui, Africa
 Aden – Suez – Port Said
 Took 5 days to traverse the Suez Canal
 Built by Ferdinand de Lesseps ( French diplomat-engineer)
Naples and Marseilles
 June 11 – reached Naples (Italian City)
 Fascinated by Mt. Vesuvius, Castle of St. Telmo and other historic
sights of the city
 June 12 docked at Marseilles
 Visited Chateau d’If (The Count of Monte Cristo)
 Stayed 2 ½ days
Barcelona
 June 15 afternoon left Marseilles by train
 Crossed the Pyrenees & stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port
Bou
 Travel by rail going to Barcelona
 Reached on June 16, 1882
Madrid
 November 3, 1882 Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de
Madrid
 Two courses: Medicine & Philosophy and Letters
 Extracurricular:
a. painting and sculpture (Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando)
b. Lessons in French, German, & English (private instructors)
c. Fencing and shooting (Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell)
 Romance with Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
Madrid
 Rizal as lover of books
 He was able to build a fair-sized private library
 Most of his books were second-hand
 Rizal as a mason (Masonic lodge: Acacia & Lodge Solidaridad)
 Financial worries
 Rizal salute to Luna (Spoliarium, 1st) and Hidalgo (Christian Virgins
Exposed to the Populace, 2nd)
 Rizal involved in student Demonstrations
 Fifth Year (1882-1883)
Medical Clinic I ……………………………………. Good
Surgical Clinic I ……………………………………. Good
Obstetrical Clinic …………………………………. Fair
Legal Medicine …………………………………….. Excellent
Sixth Year (1883-1884)
Medical Clinic 2 …………………………………… Good
Surgical Clinic 2 …………………………………… Very Good
Licentiate in Medicine awarded on June 21, 1884 (rating: FAIR)
Doctorate (1884-1885)
History of Medical Science …………………….... Fair
Surgical Analysis ……………………………......... Good
Normal Histology ………………………………….. Excellent
Doctor of Medicine (not awarded)
 1882-1883
Universal History I ……………………………………. Very Good
General Literature ……………………………………. Excellent
1883-1884
Universal History 2 ……………………………………. Excellent
Greek and Latin Literature …………………………… Excellent (w/prize)
Greek I ………………………………………………….. Excellent (w/prize)
1884-1885
Spanish Language …………………………………….. Excellent with a scholarship
Arabic Language ……………………………………… Excellent with a scholarship

Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters awarded on June 19, 1885 (rating: FAIR)
Literary Works
 Amor Patrio (Love of Country) – essay, Diarong Tagalog
 Los Viajes (Travels) –essay, Diarong Tagalog
 Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid) -essay
 A La Senorita C.O.y P. (TO Miss C.O.y P.) - poem
 Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses) – 1882, joined Circulo
Hispano-Filipino
 Science, Virtue and Labor – masonic writing delivered in 1889 at
Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid
Paris
 Rizal’s first visit to Paris (1883)
 From June 17 to August 20, 1883
 Stayed at Hotel de Paris and later at Latin Quarter (cheaper)