Dawon’s 2nd Article

A chance to create memories at a Korean university
Have you ever heard about the term MT during your life as a university student in
Korea? The official name of this activity is Membership Training but it is basically a
short trip with club members or students of the same department. Usually, there are
two MTs one at the start of the semester and one at the end of the semester. The
main purpose of MTs is to build strong relationships among members and create
memories as a group. Most of the MTs are 1 night 2 days but some last up to 3
nights. Popular locations for MTs are Daesungli and Gapyeong because there are
lots of houses rented out for MTs only, so those places are called “MT village”. Since
university students visit them, they are offered at low places and most of them have
one big room where all the students play and sleep together. Here is how a typical
MT goes like. First, staff members gather at a mart to buy drinks, meat, and snacks.
Then all the members come along to the station and go to Daesungli together.
Mostly, they use the subway and it is about a 1-hour-ride in the case of Wangsimni.
When all the students arrive at Daesungli, they play games like dodgeball or table
tennis together. Then it is about 4 pm when everyone starts preparing for dinner. The
main menu is always Korean BBQ and the equipment is ready at home. The main
activity starts after dinner. The staff members usually prepare a recreation time for
members to get along with each other. This time is always accompanied by alcohol,
and students stay up all night drinking and playing games. When morning comes,
they overcome the hangover altogether with Ramen or Gukbap and head home.
Although the accommodation and food are not that fancy, students get to create a lot
of special memories of university life through MTs. So in Korea, MT is a must do
activity as a university student. I recommend you guys to experience one if you get a
chance to do so!