STUDENT John Lynch is swotting up hard on Mongolia ready for an unusual work placement in Far East.

The Weymouth College media student is in the first year of an HND in video production and is looking forward to his three-month stay in Mongolia this July.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came to the 20-year-old while surfing the Internet.

He said: "I found a company called I-to-I International that organised placements.

"They're based in Leeds and organise work and teaching placements all round the world. They found me a placement in Mongolia at a music channel called UBS in the capital Ulan Bator.

"It's a rock and popular music channel and it's the only channel of its kind in Mongolia. Its aim is to broadcast to as many young Mongolians as possible - in a way, Mongolia's version of MTV.

"I'll be helping to produce the programmes, writing reviews of Western albums and helping with English translations and pronunciation.

"I'm obsessed with music but I don't know much about the Mongolian music scene.

"I imagined they would be into traditional music but apparently there's a very diverse music culture.

Karaoke is very popular and there's reputed to be a large underground punk scene within the capital."

John said there would be a festival celebrating Mongolian culture just when he arrives so he has chosen a good time to go out there.

He added: "Weymouth College Media Centre has helped me immensely over the past year of my course, teaching me skills and methods which will help me out in Mongolia.

"I'm learning Mongolian on a very fast track course but music is a universal language so I'm sure I'll get by somehow!"

John needs to raise about £2,000 to fund his placement and if any local businesses or organisations are interested in sponsoring him he can be contacted on (07974) 942365 or by e-mail at J3000@lineone.net.