Rizal went to Paris and Germany from 1885-1887 to study ophthalmology. In Paris, he assisted a leading French ophthalmologist and helped his friend Juan Luna with paintings. In Heidelberg, Germany, he studied at the university eye hospital and befriended Professor Blumentritt. While in Berlin, he associated with famous scientists, worked as an assistant ophthalmologist, and published his novel Noli Me Tangere. However, the winter of 1886 brought Rizal his darkest times as he fell into poverty with no money arriving from home.