Note that ITAR restrictions still enter into effect for transfer of info to a non-US citizen even if the location is in the US.
If you are really serious about this project, my suspicion is you are not yet at the point where you have an idea how much you don't know. I recommend two books:
Sutton - Rocket Propulsion Elements
Huzel and Huang - Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid-Propellant Rocket Engines
If you get interested in some historical cherry picked stuff, Sutton - History of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
Right now I know of four ways off the top of my head that liquid propulsion might be made to work simply and cheaply. At least two have been done before. To get any of them to work, would require lots of designing and lots of testing. Therefore no longer cheap...
If you can make it through the first two books and comprehend the contents, even do some of the math, then you should have an idea of how much you don't know. That's when you could, if you still choose, really start thinking about such a project. IMHO of course. Before that, it is just wishful thinking. This type of work is HARD and UNFORGIVING OF ERRORS. Just in case that point hasn't been emphasized enough!
Find a copy of the books and do some reading. That's my advice. You want to be reading the engineering texts, not the popularized stuff.
Gerald
PS - For background, I do research solids. I am working on my first research hybrid. Hybrid is much more complex as it throws liquids handling into the mix. It is a logical second step towards liquids.
(1) Learn about rocket propulsion in general
(2) Learn how to handle solids, and get experience
(3) Learn how to handle larger solids, and get experience
(4) Learn how to handle hybrids, and get experience
(5) Learn how to handle larger hybrids, and get experience
(6) Learn how to handle cryo and high pressure reactive liquids and gasses
(7) THEN think about doing a conventional liquid propellant engine!
Alternatively, get an aerospace degree and hire on with an organization doing the sort of work you want to do.