COUNTRY music fan Christine Kelly has secured a dream internship at a division of MTV in America.

The 20-year-old, of Toothill, has beaten dozens of other applicants to work in the post-production department of Country Music Television (CMT), in Nashville, Tennessee.

She will spend three months in Nashville – dubbed ‘music city’ because of its vibrant music scene – helping to edit programmes, including the finals of the CMT Music Awards.

Christine, who composes her own country music on her guitar, was delighted when she was told she had been chosen.

“I was a bit shocked because they have never had anyone else outside of America,” she said. “I was the first English person coming over so I was quite shocked because I didn’t think I would have a chance.

“It means a lot to me. After I got off the phone I started crying because I worked so hard to try to get the application together.

“It’s the kind of thing I want to do career-wise and also I love country music as well, so to be able to combine the two things is a great opportunity.”

Christine, who is studying a degree in film production at the University for the Creative Arts in Surrey, signed up to the Work America programme, run by the overseas work and travel organisation, BUNAC.

After several months of research and endless hours putting together a strong application, she received an email from Randy Turner, director of post production at CMT, saying he would like to discuss her application.

Two days later, the pair set up a call on Skype and Christine was offered the unpaid internship after a 45-minute interview.

“When I get to Nashville there are so many things I want to do,” said Christine.

“Go to the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Grand Ole' Opry, visit all those live country and blues music bars, experience the great food I’ve heard about, go on a tour to Graceland and simply explore as much as I can.”

Christine flies out on May 28 and has set up a Facebook page to connect with other CMT interns in the States and find accommodation.

BUNAC’s Work America programme allows students who are already at university to spend four months working and travelling anywhere in the USA.

For more information, visit www.bunac.org.uk.