His Studies in Manila and in Europe Jose Rizals Education His Studies in Manila and in Europe

Educational background Jose Rizal was known to have studies in 2 places. Europe and Manila.

Early Education in Manila Rizals was first taught under Justiniano Aquino Cruz in Biñan, Laguna. When he enrolled in Ateneo Municipa, he changed his name to Rizal. to escape the opprobrium of the name Mercado, as it was undesirable. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1877 and graduated as one of the nine students declared sobresaliente or outstanding. He also graduated at the age of 16.

Later Education in Manila He continued his studies in Ateneo to obtain a land surveyor and assessor’s degree as post-graduate courses. Rizal passed his surveyor’s exam in 1877 yet he was not licensed to practice since he was only 17. He was later granted license in 1881. At the same time he was taking up Philosophy and Letters in University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters. He later took up medicine in the University of Sto. Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery when he found out that his mother was going blind. He specialized in ophthalmology. Unfortunately, he did not finish this degree due to the discrimination he suffered from Dominican friars.

Education in Europe Yes, he studied in many places in Europe. Places to include: France, Paris Germany, Berlin Spain, Madrid

Early Education in Spain and Paris In May 1882, Rizal went to Spain, Madrid to study in Universidad Central de Madrid where he earned a degree in Licentiate in Medicine.  He then continued his education in the University of Paris and the University of Heidelberg for his second doctorate.

Rizals Education and what he did in Germany Berlin- He became a part of the Berlin Ethnological Society and the Berlin Anthropological Society under a well-known man named Rudolf Virchow.  He wrote a poem for Heidelberg entitled “"A las flores del Heidelberg," which was a prayer dedicated to his native land and his hopes of unifying East and West values and culture. Heidelberg- Rizal completed the eye specialization program and became and ophthalmologist. 

Continued: Rizals Education in Germany He wrote a letter to his parents while in Germany, “I spend half of the day in the study of German and the other half, in the diseases of the eye. Twice a week, I go to the bierbrauerie, or beerhall, to speak German with my student friends.” He lived in a Karlstraße boarding house then moved to Ludwigsplatz. There, he met Reverend Karl Ullmer and stayed with them in Wilhelmsfeld, where he wrote the last few chapters of "Noli Me Tangere“. After Jose’s European studies he was an ophthalmologist, sculptor, painter, educator, farmer, historian, playwright and journalist. He also became a Freemason during his stay in Spain.

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