What can I do during my 2-year Master’s in Economics to prepare for research abroad?

Hi everyone. I am from a developing country and will be doing my Master’s in Economics here in my home country. I want to eventually explore research or PhD opportunities abroad once I finish.

I have 2 years for my Master’s and I want to use this time wisely. I would love advice on:

• How to get research experience and possibly publish papers as a Master’s student
• Skills I should focus on like econometrics, data analysis, coding (R, Python, Stata, etc.)
• How to find research mentors, assist professors, or join research groups
• Competitions, workshops, or online programs that help build a strong academic profile
• Steps that help with applying for funded PhD programs abroad later (Europe, USA, etc.)

If anyone has gone through this path, I would really appreciate your guidance. I want to make the most out of these 2 years and build a solid foundation for a research career in economics.

Thanks a lot.