Undergraduate Research
Research Opportunities for International Students: Breaking Barriers and Getting Started
Written by Swaranya Sarkar ’28, Research Ambassador
When I first applied for summer research, I thought I had it figured out. I found every REU that said “international students eligible,” wrote the essays, sent the emails—and got rejected from every single one by January. It was humbling, to say the least.
Eventually, I started cold-emailing professors. Ten ignored me, six said no, and one, finally, said yes. That one yes became an incredible summer in a great lab, but only after a very messy process.
So, learn from me: don’t wait for rejection to get creative. Use the databases, ask questions, email early and often. Even if the answer is “not right now,” it’s still a step forward.
Here’s a guide built from what I wish I’d known earlier—the main barriers international students face in finding research and how to actually break them.
Barrier 1: “I don’t know where to look.”
This one’s universal, and it’s where most people get stuck. Luckily, there are plenty of databases that list programs open to international students:
– A huge database of REUs, fellowships, and internships. You can filter by eligibility.
University of Houston’s List of Summer Opportunities for International Students
– A curated list of programs specifically open to non-U.S. citizens.
University of Chicago's Searchable Database of Research Opportunities
– A mix of international and U.S.-based programs that can be filtered with ease
University of Rochester’s Master list of resources and databases
– A list of known databases with eligibility requirements highlighted
Beyond the databases, there are several established international programs worth bookmarking early:
– Funded research internships for undergraduates in STEM at German universities.
– Paid 10–12 week research internships across Canadian universities for students worldwide, across disciplines in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
EPFL Research Internship (Switzerland)
– Opportunities for undergrads and recent graduates in Computer and Communication Sciences, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
If travel or visa requirements are a challenge, many programs now include hybrid or fully remote research options, especially for computational or data-driven projects. Several DAAD RISE labs, for instance, continue to host international students virtually, more details are usually listed on each program’s website.
Most importantly, make a spreadsheet early to track deadlines, eligibility, and requirements! It makes reapplying the next cycle infinitely easier.
Barrier 2: “The eligibility requirements are too strict.”
A lot of programs do exclude non-U.S. citizens, which can be discouraging, but you still have options.
- Create your own opportunity.
Cold emailing professors works. (Really!) Researchers love mentoring curious students, even first-years. For a sample email and more ideas, check out Tanisha Shende’s blog post, “Non-Traditional Ways to Get Involved With Research.”
- Use Oberlin’s internal funding.
If you find a great project but it’s unpaid/underpaid, Oberlin has several ways to help. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) supports on-campus summer research through the Oberlin Summer Research Institute (OSRI) and also offers opportunities to pursue faculty-mentored projects during Winter Term (though Winter Term projects are not funded). The Career Exploration and Development (CED) office provides Summer Experience Funding and Internship+ grants to support unpaid or underpaid internships and research experiences off campus.
- Be flexible about the kind of opportunity you pursue.
Many organizations, labs, and institutes that host structured internships will also consider part-time volunteers or students in alternative roles, especially if you reach out directly. Even if you’re rejected from a competitive program, it can be worth following up with a polite email to the PI to ask whether they have any other ways to get involved, such as assisting with data entry, literature reviews, or short-term projects.
Barrier 3: “I don’t feel qualified enough.”
This one’s a quiet barrier, but it’s real. Many of us come from places where research feels like something only “real scientists” do, people with PhDs, or at least seniors.
At Oberlin, that’s not the case. Here, undergraduates run projects, present at conferences, and even publish. I know students in my lab who were doing mouse surgeries in their second year. (At a bigger university I’ve worked at, seniors weren’t even allowed to watch yet.)
So the real question isn’t “am I qualified?”
It’s “am I curious enough to start learning?”
Start with what’s around you: take a class with a professor whose work you like, do a Winter Term research project, or just visit office hours to talk about their field. Every little step builds experience.
Barrier 4: “I don’t know anyone who can help.”
You don’t need a professional network to start, just one good conversation. Oberlin makes this easier than you think:
- Ask for connections: Oberlin faculty often know alumni or collaborators in your area of interest.
- Use OberLink and LinkedIn: search for Oberlin alumni in research, and send a friendly message.
- Talk to Research Ambassadors: We can help you send these emails and connect with people currently doing research in your area/s of interest.
If someone doesn’t respond, follow up once. If you still don’t hear back, don’t take it personally, think of it as planting a seed. When you reach out again months or even years later, that quiet persistence can actually work in your favor and show genuine interest over time.
Barrier 5: “What if I fail?”
Spoiler: you probably will, at least once. Everyone does. I applied to a dozen programs my first year and only heard back from one—but that one changed everything.
Rejection isn’t personal. Sometimes labs simply don’t have the capacity, funding, or time to take on new students. It’s often a numbers game, the more applications you send, the better your chances. Each email, draft, and “no” you receive is part of the process that prepares you for the “yes” that matters.
Even if nothing works out this year, you can still:
- Work in a lab for credit during the semester.
- Design your own Winter Term project.
- Reapply next year with stronger materials and new experiences.
Whether you’re in the sciences, humanities, or arts, the same principles of curiosity, follow-through, and resilience will help you find your place in research.
Persistence isn’t glamorous, but it’s the biggest predictor of success in research.
Final Thoughts: You Can Start Now!
Your visa status does not determine your ability to do research as an undergrad, it just means there are a few extra steps. Most international students at Oberlin use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for research or internships during their studies and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
Keep documentation for any work authorization (like your offer letter), and review Oberlin’s International Students and Scholar Services page for details on eligibility and application timelines. You can also book an advising appointment with the ISSS office to talk through the process!
The path might look different, and it might take a few tries, but there’s always a way in. The real secret? Ask questions, send the emails, and stay curious. (And book an appointment with a research ambassador!)
Find an appointment with Sway here.