Home - SLSA.html

SRI LANKAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

New Mexico State University

Living in Las Cruces...

The New Mexico State University (NMSU) that you would be attending is in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The State New Mexico is in the south west region of the USA and it is bordered by the states, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Below New Mexico lies the country Mexico. The state New Mexico was bought by the USA from Mexico; this is probably the reason for the name “New Mexico” for our state. Las Cruces is in the Southern tip of New Mexico.

Entering to the USA

You may be entering the USA from one of multiple ports located in different states such as Chicago, New York, Houston, Dallas, California or Atlanta depending on the airline you choose to travel. However, the closest international airport to Las Cruces is in El Paso, Texas which is about one hour drive from Las Cruces. You would be taking one or two connecting flights to reach El Paso international airport from your initial port of entry into the USA. There is an airport shuttle service that runs to and from Las Cruces. Current cost of the suttle for a round trip ticket to the airport is about $ 88 and a one- way ticket is about $ 50. Usually, one of us will be happy to pick you up from the airport.

Brief Introduction to Las Cruces

The approximate elevation of Las Cruces is 4000 ft above sea level. New Mexico climate is classified as a desert with minimum rain fall. The cactus is a common plant in New Mexico. Our winter season runs from December to March and it is mild with about 1 to 2 inches of snow per year. The winter in New Mexico is very mild compared to the winter in the east and north part of USA. Average day time temperature in the winter is about 50 degree Fahrenheit (10 degree Celsius) and the average night time temperature in winter is about 35 degree Fahrenheit (about 2 degree Celsius). During this season sweaters, winter jackets, and gloves would be required, especially for new comers. After winter is the windy season, which occurs during March and April. During this time wind can be as high as 55 mph with dust storms. Rainy season is in June – July with a maximum of 8 inches of rain per year. Day time temperature during summer time (June to August) can range between 85 to 95 degree Fahrenheit ( 29 to 35 degree Celsius). Since the humidity is very low in Las Cruces, the summer heat is not that uncomfortable to bear. Light colored cotton clothes would be suitable during summer time.

The majority of people in New Mexico are Hispanics whose native language is Spanish. Santa Fe which is about 286 miles north of Las Cruces is the capital of New Mexico. Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and is about 225 miles north of Las Cruces. The University of New Mexico including a Medical College and few large companies such as Intel and Honey Well are located in Albuquerque. Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico and its current population is about 90,000. The Organ Mountains are located to the east of Las Cruces and they give beautiful scenery to the city. Las Cruces is an agricultural region and it is irrigated by the “Rio Grande” river. Pecans, green/red chili, onions, cotton, lettuce, and further goods are a few of the most grown agricultural products in Las Cruces.

The city Juarez in the country of Mexico is located about 60 miles to the south of Las Cruces and would take about one hour to drive from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Phoenix, Arizona is about 450 miles to the west and Los Angeles, California is about 850 miles to the west of Las Cruces. A car trip to Los Angeles California would take about 12 hours. Chicago is about 1400 miles north east; Washington DC and Toronto, Canada are about 2100 miles north east of Las Cruces. Dallas, Texas is about 600 miles to the east of Las Cruces. Houston, Texas is about 750 miles south east of Las Cruces. The state New Mexico falls under the Mountain Time zone in U.S.A. Washington D.C., and Toronto are two hours ahead of our time; Chicago, Dallas, and Houston are one hour ahead of our time; Phoenix and Los Angeles are one hour behind our time.

Three hospitals, one University, one Community College, White Sands Missile Range, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) facilities are located in Las Cruces. In addition, there are several restaurants, and a shopping mall, several stores, and several super markets. Food items can be purchased from one of many super markets including Wal Mart which is open 24 hours. Wal Mart and other food stores are located within a 10 minute drive from New Mexico State University. We certainly do not get all the great variety of vegetables and fruits that we have in Sri Lanka but we do get a sufficient amount to cook a decent meal. We usually do our grocery shopping once a week.

Food

There is an Indian restaurant close to the University in Las Cruces. There are two Indian restaurants and an Indian spice store in El Paso, Texas. Some spices can be purchased from a Mediterranean store in Las Cruces. El Paso spice store has most of the spices; however, we do not get the typical Sri Lankan spices such as chili powder, red rice flour, maldive fish, Ceylon tea leaves, samahan, etc. The spices are comparatively expensive here, so new arrivals are encouraged to bring as much spice as they can from Sri Lanka. There are few Sri Lankan spice stores available in other states such as California and New York from where spices can be mail ordered. It would be less costly to bring clothes, foot wear, bathroom supplies, bedding, small kitchen utensils, religious items, spices, school supplies, etc. from Sri Lanka. In addition, if you do not know how to cook already, it would be beneficial to learn to cook your favorite food before you leave the country.

Religious Aspects

In Las Cruces there are many Christian/Catholic churches and also a Mosque. There is a Hindu temple in El Paso, Texas and an Anuman Temple in Santa Fe operated by Americans. There is no Buddhist temple in Las Cruces; however there is a Buddhist temple in Austin, Texas which is about 9 hour drive from Las Cruces.

Apartments

There are several apartments (these are called flats in Sri Lanka) available within walking distance to the university. Currently, a one- bedroom apartment costs starting from $ 400 per month, and a two- bedroom apartment costs starting from $ 460 per month. Tenants are responsible for paying the utility bills which may include water, electricity and gas depending on the apartment. Most of the apartments are unfurnished. Used furniture can be purchased from former students who graduate and move away from Las Cruces. The sale information is usually advertised on FSN (foreign student net work). University housing is also available for married and unmarried students and the information can be found at http://www.nmsu.edu/~housing/.

Transportation

The public transportation is provided by the “Road Runner Transit” bus service for a minimal fee of about $ 2 per ride currently. Some students take advantage of this service while some buy used cars for their use. The price of a used car varies depending on the year, model, and mileage of the car. Students who do not know how to drive, will have to pass the written test, learn to drive from friends and also pass the driving test to obtain an American driving license. Students who come with an international driving license will have to take only the written exam to obtain an American driving license. Some students attend driving classes here in Las Cruces which usually meets for two weeks for a current fee of $ 250.

There are many Sri Lankan families in Las Cruces, Albuquerque and El Paso. There are over 20 Sri Lankan students who attend NMSU, in the fields of Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Agriculture and many other fields.

Home About Sri Lanka SLSA News Gallery Contact Us

Present Executives Past Executives Faculty Members Present Student Members

Past Student Members Non-Student Members Living in Las Cruces

		SRI LANKAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION New Mexico State University

		Living in Las Cruces... The New Mexico State University (NMSU) that you would be attending is in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The State New Mexico is in the south west region of the USA and it is bordered by the states, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Below New Mexico lies the country Mexico. The state New Mexico was bought by the USA from Mexico; this is probably the reason for the name “New Mexico” for our state. Las Cruces is in the Southern tip of New Mexico. Entering to the USA You may be entering the USA from one of multiple ports located in different states such as Chicago, New York, Houston, Dallas, California or Atlanta depending on the airline you choose to travel. However, the closest international airport to Las Cruces is in El Paso, Texas which is about one hour drive from Las Cruces. You would be taking one or two connecting flights to reach El Paso international airport from your initial port of entry into the USA. There is an airport shuttle service that runs to and from Las Cruces. Current cost of the suttle for a round trip ticket to the airport is about $ 88 and a one- way ticket is about $ 50. Usually, one of us will be happy to pick you up from the airport. Brief Introduction to Las Cruces The approximate elevation of Las Cruces is 4000 ft above sea level. New Mexico climate is classified as a desert with minimum rain fall. The cactus is a common plant in New Mexico. Our winter season runs from December to March and it is mild with about 1 to 2 inches of snow per year. The winter in New Mexico is very mild compared to the winter in the east and north part of USA. Average day time temperature in the winter is about 50 degree Fahrenheit (10 degree Celsius) and the average night time temperature in winter is about 35 degree Fahrenheit (about 2 degree Celsius). During this season sweaters, winter jackets, and gloves would be required, especially for new comers. After winter is the windy season, which occurs during March and April. During this time wind can be as high as 55 mph with dust storms. Rainy season is in June – July with a maximum of 8 inches of rain per year. Day time temperature during summer time (June to August) can range between 85 to 95 degree Fahrenheit ( 29 to 35 degree Celsius). Since the humidity is very low in Las Cruces, the summer heat is not that uncomfortable to bear. Light colored cotton clothes would be suitable during summer time. The majority of people in New Mexico are Hispanics whose native language is Spanish. Santa Fe which is about 286 miles north of Las Cruces is the capital of New Mexico. Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and is about 225 miles north of Las Cruces. The University of New Mexico including a Medical College and few large companies such as Intel and Honey Well are located in Albuquerque. Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico and its current population is about 90,000. The Organ Mountains are located to the east of Las Cruces and they give beautiful scenery to the city. Las Cruces is an agricultural region and it is irrigated by the “Rio Grande” river. Pecans, green/red chili, onions, cotton, lettuce, and further goods are a few of the most grown agricultural products in Las Cruces. The city Juarez in the country of Mexico is located about 60 miles to the south of Las Cruces and would take about one hour to drive from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Phoenix, Arizona is about 450 miles to the west and Los Angeles, California is about 850 miles to the west of Las Cruces. A car trip to Los Angeles California would take about 12 hours. Chicago is about 1400 miles north east; Washington DC and Toronto, Canada are about 2100 miles north east of Las Cruces. Dallas, Texas is about 600 miles to the east of Las Cruces. Houston, Texas is about 750 miles south east of Las Cruces. The state New Mexico falls under the Mountain Time zone in U.S.A. Washington D.C., and Toronto are two hours ahead of our time; Chicago, Dallas, and Houston are one hour ahead of our time; Phoenix and Los Angeles are one hour behind our time. Three hospitals, one University, one Community College, White Sands Missile Range, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) facilities are located in Las Cruces. In addition, there are several restaurants, and a shopping mall, several stores, and several super markets. Food items can be purchased from one of many super markets including Wal Mart which is open 24 hours. Wal Mart and other food stores are located within a 10 minute drive from New Mexico State University. We certainly do not get all the great variety of vegetables and fruits that we have in Sri Lanka but we do get a sufficient amount to cook a decent meal. We usually do our grocery shopping once a week. Food There is an Indian restaurant close to the University in Las Cruces. There are two Indian restaurants and an Indian spice store in El Paso, Texas. Some spices can be purchased from a Mediterranean store in Las Cruces. El Paso spice store has most of the spices; however, we do not get the typical Sri Lankan spices such as chili powder, red rice flour, maldive fish, Ceylon tea leaves, samahan, etc. The spices are comparatively expensive here, so new arrivals are encouraged to bring as much spice as they can from Sri Lanka. There are few Sri Lankan spice stores available in other states such as California and New York from where spices can be mail ordered. It would be less costly to bring clothes, foot wear, bathroom supplies, bedding, small kitchen utensils, religious items, spices, school supplies, etc. from Sri Lanka. In addition, if you do not know how to cook already, it would be beneficial to learn to cook your favorite food before you leave the country. Religious Aspects In Las Cruces there are many Christian/Catholic churches and also a Mosque. There is a Hindu temple in El Paso, Texas and an Anuman Temple in Santa Fe operated by Americans. There is no Buddhist temple in Las Cruces; however there is a Buddhist temple in Austin, Texas which is about 9 hour drive from Las Cruces. Apartments There are several apartments (these are called flats in Sri Lanka) available within walking distance to the university. Currently, a one- bedroom apartment costs starting from $ 400 per month, and a two- bedroom apartment costs starting from $ 460 per month. Tenants are responsible for paying the utility bills which may include water, electricity and gas depending on the apartment. Most of the apartments are unfurnished. Used furniture can be purchased from former students who graduate and move away from Las Cruces. The sale information is usually advertised on FSN (foreign student net work). University housing is also available for married and unmarried students and the information can be found at http://www.nmsu.edu/~housing/. Transportation The public transportation is provided by the “Road Runner Transit” bus service for a minimal fee of about $ 2 per ride currently. Some students take advantage of this service while some buy used cars for their use. The price of a used car varies depending on the year, model, and mileage of the car. Students who do not know how to drive, will have to pass the written test, learn to drive from friends and also pass the driving test to obtain an American driving license. Students who come with an international driving license will have to take only the written exam to obtain an American driving license. Some students attend driving classes here in Las Cruces which usually meets for two weeks for a current fee of $ 250. There are many Sri Lankan families in Las Cruces, Albuquerque and El Paso. There are over 20 Sri Lankan students who attend NMSU, in the fields of Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Agriculture and many other fields. Home About Sri Lanka SLSA News Gallery Contact Us Present Executives Past Executives Faculty Members Present Student Members Past Student Members Non-Student Members Living in Las Cruces