Research assistant positions at foreign universities?

Hello everyone,

I am an international student. I will be completing my masters by summer 2027.

My research interest lies in the area of semiconductor electronics/optoelectronics materials.

I want to do a PhD from abroad, preferrably US, but want to gain significant research experience before applying by doing projects, assist, learn, cotribute and publish under a researcher/professor.

Do Japanese/Taiwanese, European or other nation researchers/profs take gap year students as Visiting Research Assistant for long-term projects for a year or so?

If anybody has any knowledge or experience of something like this, please share here. It would mean a lot to me.