How To Work With NASA as an International Student

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How can I intern for NASA if I’m NOT a U.S. citizen? 

If you’re asking this question, I bet you already know some of the challenges you face. It’s no secret that entering the workforce as a foreign national in the U.S. aerospace industry can be difficult. And even after you’ve joined the U.S. aerospace workforce, you may face restrictions on what you can work on. 

Why? 

Many programs that participate in U.S. defense products or services are obligated to follow International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Even U.S. companies completely independent of the U.S. government may have their own internal policies or their own international agreements with foreign companies they work with.

This becomes even more challenging if you want to work for NASA since NASA is a U.S. government agency that is funded by the U.S. government. Any nation’s government will, of course, promote employment for their nation’s citizens over non-nationals. 

However, there’s still hope! In this article, we’ll talk about what options you have today, and then actions you can take that can increase your future possibilities of working with NASA. 

But first, let’s briefly review how the U.S. government defines a foreign national. 

Disclaimer: While I am a NASA employee, the views in this article are my own and do not officially represent NASA. My research on this topic has been conducted using public information (as referenced throughout this article) and my advice is based on personal experiences (both my own and those of my aerospace friends).

Table Of Contents
  1. What is a foreign national? 
  2. Options to connect with NASA as an international student
  3. Actions to increase your future chances of working with NASA
  4. Challenge Accepted 

What is a foreign national? 

The U.S. government generally defines a “U.S. person” or “national” as either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). A “Foreign National” includes everyone else. For example, if you’re attending university in the U.S. via an F-1 Visa, you are considered a foreign national. 

If you’re already an LPR (or about to become an LPR), you’ll likely have more opportunities than a foreign national. However, it depends on the specific job you’re applying for. Some companies may have additional requirements you’ll need to watch out for, such as the length of time you’ve been an LPR. Others may restrict an application to “U.S. Citizens only” depending on their company policies and agreements.

Options to connect with NASA as an international student

This section is all about the options you have to connect with NASA, including alternative paths that may bring you closer to NASA down the road. The goal is to give you specific resources that may help you connect with NASA as well as some ideas on how to research opportunities on your own. 

Option #1: Apply directly to NASA Internships 

Let’s start with the obvious – have you searched the latest NASA internships here? This is NASA’s internship homepage where NASA posts all of their internship programs, including announcements for upcoming virtual sessions they host for prospective NASA interns. 

However, as an international student, you’ve probably already seen a lot of “U.S. citizen only” restrictions. Most of NASA’s official internship programs, like NASA Pathways, are only open to U.S. citizens (see their Q&A page here). 

However, I still recommend you periodically check NASA’s internship homepage for new events and search NASA’s STEM Gateway for opportunities based on citizenship requirements. If you’re an LPR, you can also check out JPL’s Internship program, which is open to both U.S. citizens and LPRs. JPL is closely associated with NASA, but most JPL employees are hired via CalTech, so their internship programs are vetted through a different process than other NASA centers. 

Option #2: Get sponsored by your home country for a NASA internship

Does your home country have a space agency? If so, see if your space agency partners with NASA. NASA’s International Internship (NASA I²) program allows international students to intern at NASA if they are sponsored by their home country. 

Per the NASA I² page, all NASA I² Interns must be pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field. This is different from some other NASA internship opportunities that also encourage non-STEM students (e.g. human resources, communications, and finance majors) to apply. For all NASA internships, you’ll also need to be proficient in English, both oral and written (see Action #1 below). 

Start by contacting the name listed for your space agency. But don’t stop there. Make sure you also connect with your space agency in other ways. Apply directly for internships with that space agency. Network with coordinators on LinkedIn or other social media sites. Connect with others from your country who recently completed these internships and ask them how they got to where they are today. Be proactive! See Action #3 below for more ideas.

Option #3: Partner with NASA through your university 

Many universities across the U.S., and even some international universities, partner with NASA. These university partnerships may allow you to work on specific NASA research projects. 

One agreement that NASA has in place is with the International Space University (ISU). Per NASA’s international student page, “students currently enrolled in the ISU’s Master of Space Studies (MSS) program or the Master of Space Management (MSM) program may apply to work on NASA projects and/or research of benefit to NASA at selected NASA centers, based on availability.”

If you are currently enrolled at a university, make sure you also talk to your school advisor about NASA opportunities (internships, student challenges, research projects, fellowships, etc.). Many U.S. universities with aerospace programs already have connections with NASA. But others don’t. If you’re in this situation, see if your university has any partnerships or study abroad opportunities with another university that may have NASA connections. 

If you’re still looking at what university you want to attend (or attend next), focus on universities known for their connections with NASA or other space agencies. That’s what I did. I dreamed of working with NASA on human space exploration and I chose to go to Purdue University because of Purdue’s connections with NASA. Many universities with great aerospace programs, like Purdue, have lots of opportunities to connect with NASA. These opportunities can range from special events with NASA astronauts to NASA research projects to classes that participate in NASA student challenges. 

Regardless of your citizenship, attending a university with a great aerospace network could help you connect with NASA (or other space agencies depending on your university’s location) and other aerospace companies. 

Option #4: Participate in NASA challenges or skills development programs 

NASA has a lot of programs you can participate in that will connect you with NASA. These programs will also help you develop skills you’ll need to stand out on your resume and interviews. 

Here are some that I know about today: 

  • L’SPACE is a skills development program that is open to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a U.S. college or university. 
  • NASA Space Apps Challenge is a “hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, technologists, and innovators around the world to come together and use open data from NASA and its Space Agency Partners to create solutions to challenges we face on Earth and in space.”
  • NASA Challenges offers cash prizes to innovators who can design solutions to unique aerospace challenges. 
  • Become a NASA Citizen Scientist and make an important scientific discovery. 
  • You can also check if you (or your university) are qualified to participate in NASA student challenges. Many of these student challenges are restricted to U.S. citizens, but continue to check on citizenship requirements as new challenges are posted.
  • Keep checking nasa.gov for more opportunities. NASA will periodically post articles like this one that highlights the latest ways to get involved in NASA research.

These opportunities are constantly changing, so keep following NASA and aerospace influencers on social media to hear about the latest ones! Explore nasa.gov/social-media for a full listing of all NASA’s official social media channels, including some that are now entirely in Español. 

NASA’s website, NASA’s YouTube channel, and NASA podcasts are also packed with information about NASA’s missions and the people NASA needs to achieve those missions. 

By participating in one or more of these NASA activities, you’ll develop new skills, connect with NASA employees, and be exposed to future NASA opportunities. 

Option #5: Join a commercial company that works with NASA 

Did you know that most people who work at a NASA center are NOT NASA employees? For example, at Johnson Space Center, over 11,000 people work at JSC, but only about 3,000 are federal civil servants employed directly by NASA. This means there are a lot more opportunities if you broaden your search to companies that support NASA.

Here are some ideas to get started:

Many U.S. aerospace companies get at least some of their funding from NASA or other U.S. government agencies (like the Department of Defense). However, the space sector is exploding (both literally and figuratively!🚀) with new opportunities, including those that are privately funded. This means you can also search LinkedIn and various job recruiter sites to find companies that support the U.S. space industry overall. 

By broadening your search to companies that support NASA, you’ll be increasing your chances of finding a great opportunity to work with NASA. 

Option #7: Apply to research laboratories or institutes

Look into internships at U.S. research laboratories/institutes or international laboratories that support the aerospace industry. Working on specific research projects at a research lab may not have the same export restrictions that you may face at a federal agency like NASA. 

Here are some examples:

Option #8: Don’t pass up on non-U.S. space opportunities

While NASA may be your dream, there are so many amazing international opportunities in the space industry. Don’t pass them up! Work on gaining experience and building your reputation in the space industry from your home country or other countries with aerospace opportunities (see more in Action #2 below). These experiences may bring you to NASA in the future or they may open new doors for you…opportunities that you haven’t even dreamed of yet!

Did you know that 50 countries have signed the Artemis Accords as of Dec 15, 2024? The Artemis Accords was established in 2020 to promote responsible civil space exploration. So many countries are showing interest in space exploration and many of them are partnering with the U.S. to do so. Research the Artemis Accords and the countries who are participating to find ways to get involved. 

Did you also know that in the past six years Ethiopia, Mauritius, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tunisia all launched their first satellites into orbit? African interest in space programs is on the rise. 

The title of “astronaut” is growing as well with the addition of privately funded space flights. If you dream of flying in space, look at the paths various astronauts took to fly in space. What kind of astronaut do you want to be? What kind of mission do you want to support? Potential options range from space tourists in a short suborbital flight to interplanetary exploration. Private training programs, like IIAS, are also on the rise. 

You can also research the growing need for ground segments, like antennas for the deep space network in Spain and Australia. Supporting space missions via infrastructure on Earth may be a great first step in your aerospace career. 

The international space industry is booming! Take advantage of these opportunities when you see them. 

I recommend you research both government-funded opportunities and private industry opportunities. Here are some search prompts to get you started:

  1. Look at your own country first. Does it have a government-supported space program today? Here’s a list that may help.
  2. What about other countries that partner with your country? While your country may not have a space program, they may have agreements with neighboring countries that do. Your country may even have a partnership with another country across the globe!
  3. Find companies that are funded by those government-supported space programs. Just like with NASA, your space program may be limited on the people they can hire directly. Working with a private aerospace company may open more doors for you. 
  4. Consider applying to large aerospace companies that have an international presence. If you join a global aerospace company, they may be more willing to sponsor you in the U.S. once you’ve established a great reputation.

Actions to increase your future chances of working with NASA

While you’re searching and applying for opportunities, make sure you’re also continuing to invest in yourself. Let’s face it, there’s always lots of waiting while applying to internships! I waited 9 months to get an acceptance letter to the NASA Co-Op program (now NASA Pathways program). I have several friends that had to apply multiple times to finally get accepted to a NASA internship, and other friends that never got accepted but that now have amazing careers in the private aerospace industry. 

Don’t give up. Keep an open mind. And consider some (or all) of the following actions… all of which are focused on increasing your chances of getting an acceptance letter in the future!

Action #1: Keep practicing your English 

If English is not your native language, don’t let language be your barrier to entry! Keep practicing your English. Excellent communication skills are critical in any career, including technical fields. If you want to work at NASA or in the U.S. aerospace industry, proficiency in English is non-negotiable. English is also used as one of the primary languages in other space agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA). Even if English is not required for an aerospace job in another country, being fluent in English could still help accelerate your aerospace career.

Taking classes in English is a great place to start, but you can also consider…

  • Language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Language Transfer.
  • Practice talking to native English speakers, in both spoken and written forms. Online forums can be a great place to start doing this because you can use Google translate to help you when you’re stuck. 
  • Read articles (like this page!) without Google translate on…and then reread it after you turn the translation back on to see what you may have missed.
  • Read English technical papers in the aerospace field you want to work in to learn specific technical terms in English. Alternatively, listen to podcasts or videos that discuss technical information. 
  • Rent an English book and the associated audiobook from the library to connect written words with how they are pronounced.
  • Watch English/American movies and shows. I know this sounds silly, but some of the best non-native speakers I work with today actually learned a lot of English (including colloquialisms) simply by watching TV with the subtitles on. It’s even possible to set up Netflix with dual subtitles (your native language + the language you’re learning)! 

Pro tip: don’t be embarrassed by your accent! While you should strive to make sure your English is understandable, your accent proves that you’ve worked hard….harder than native English speakers. It shows that you’re serious about your aerospace career. 

Action #2: Build your skills and your reputation 

An aerospace company takes a risk when they sponsor a foreign national in the U.S. So, you need to convince your sponsor that you’re worth the risk. That starts by building an excellent reputation, which includes a combination of technical skills and people skills. 

You likely already know how to build your technical skills because those are all the things they teach you in college. Getting a degree, earning certifications, authoring technical papers…all of those activities give you a solid technical foundation.

People skills (also called soft skills, power skills, or professional skills) are the secret to making you really stand out in applications and interviews. The space industry runs on teamwork. You need to prove that you are a great communicator and a great team player. You need a track record of being dependable and flexible. Check out this page on “building confidence in a team” for more.

Pro tip: The best resumes (CVs) and applications show evidence that you are constantly combining your technical skills and your people skills. For example, you joined a project team that highlights how you work well with others and that you can solve technical problems. Or, you’ve joined a student organization in a leadership position and co-authored a technical paper that you presented at that organization’s conference. 

Action #3: Expand your network

Who you know is just as important (and arguably more important) than what you know. 

Focus on building a network across the aerospace industry and within the specific aerospace niche(s) you love. This may not help you immediately when you apply online for an internship (though it could!). But it can definitely help you in the long run. This is an action you should be taking throughout your career – never stop growing your network and never stop strengthening the connections you already have. 

Here are some ideas to build your network as an international student:

  • Find conferences that often get aerospace (or niche) company participation and find a way to present at that conference. Conferences are some of the best places to connect with others outside your network and a great place to showcase your work. As a student, you can also find ways to be sponsored (via your school or directly with the conference) to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
  • Find a student organization or a professor that brings in professionals from industry and see if they can bring in a rep from an aerospace (or niche) company to talk at your school. You can even go the extra step by offering to help do this coordination for that organization/professor. 
  • Post your research on LinkedIn (or other online platforms). In your post, add a hashtag that is popular in your specific aerospace niche to reach a more specific audience. 
  • Follow companies, groups, or influencers who write posts about aerospace topics that you’re interested in (LinkedIn or other social media sites).
  • Ask your professor, advisor, or fellow student to make an introduction for you. 

Pro tip: when you reach out to people on LinkedIn, don’t just send a message saying “thanks for connecting” or “hello” or “I always dreamed of working for NASA”. Instead, find ways to engage with your new connection. Ask a specific question that they may be able to answer. Or request a 15 minute call to ask them about their own career path. Be specific and be respectful of people’s time. If you can, offer something in exchange. It can be simple too. For example, I love receiving feedback or additional content ideas for this site. 

Action #4: Leverage your native language

Find ways to leverage your native language. The space industry is already international and is continuing to grow. The space economy has doubled in the last decade. Governments in 42 countries increased spending on their space programs in 2023. Commercial revenues are continuing to rise. Source: Space Foundation. 

So, if you’re fluent in multiple languages, find ways to use those languages to complement your technical skills.

Pro tip: How can you use language to bring value to a specific team or community in the space industry? Translate technical content. Break cultural barriers to help foster a new international partnership. Build a media presence that brings space professionals across the globe closer together. Get creative! 

Action #5: Build your confidence

You’re going to face setbacks and challenges. Maybe you will get a rejection letter (or, more likely, many rejection letters). Maybe you will be ghosted by recruiters. Maybe you will feel discouraged when you compare yourself to all the “successful” people you see on LinkedIn. 

Honestly, those things happen to all of us. But it’s going to be okay. We all face setbacks. I certainly have. Some of the biggest rejections I’ve faced actually resulted in better opportunities later (some of which I didn’t even know existed!). Everything happens for a reason….even if it takes a long time to understand what that reason was. 

Pro tip: If you’re feeling discouraged, check out my article on recovering from setbacks. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by self-doubt, read boost your self-confidence next.

Take it one step at a time. You can turn your setbacks into new opportunities. 

Challenge Accepted 

Don’t be afraid to embrace this challenge! Put in the work, but also keep an open mindset. Not everything will work out exactly the way you think it will…and maybe that means something even better will come along! 

Share your space journey stories on LinkedIn and tag me! Let us know what worked out well for you…and if you’re brave enough to share, what didn’t work so well. You might just be the inspiration boost someone else needs on their own space journey!

You’ve got this!