The United States of America is the world’s third largest country in size and nearly the third largest in terms of population. Throughout its history, the United States has been a nation of immigrants. The population is diverse with people from all over the world seeking refuge and a better way of life. The landscape varies across the large country from tropical beaches in Florida to peaks in the Rocky Mountains, from rolling prairie lands and barren deserts in the West to dense wilderness areas in the Northeast and Northwest. The country is also a major source of entertainment: American TV, Hollywood films, jazz, blues, rock and rap music are primary ingredients in global popular culture. The United States originated in a revolution which separated if from the British Crown. The constitution, drafted in 1787, established a federal system with a division of powers which has remained unchanged in form since its inception. 

Nestled in the fertile Mesilla Valley between the majestic Organ Mountains and the meandering Rio Grande, Las Cruces, New Mexico is a popular southwestern destination.

The city’s ideal location at the junction of Interstate Highways 10 and 25 provides visitors with easy access to unique special events and historic attractions such as the town of Old Mesilla. An hour north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Las Cruces also boast world-class Mexican food along with great New Mexican cuisine!

Las Cruces blends a unique variety of attractions, cultures, historical sites and superb year-round weather, with 350 days of sunshine per year.

A comprehensive land-grant institution of higher learning, New Mexico State University is dedicated to teaching, research, and service in the community at the undergraduate and graduate levels. NMSU is also a NASA Space Grant College and a Hispanic-Serving Institution. For more information on NMSU, please visit us on the web at: http://www.nmsu.edu

About Study Abroad at NMSU

The Office of Study Abroad hosts 40-60 exchange students each semester.

The office works closely with each incoming exchange student prior to her/his arrival, making sure that students' accounts are created, course registration happens in a timely manner and any/all questions are answered. Each incoming exchange student is paired with a NMSU Student Ambassador to assist the exchange student with general preparation for a semester or year at NMSU.

Number of Students Enrolled

There are more than 15,000 students enrolled at the New Mexico State University.

Language of Instruction

All courses are taught in English.

Courses Offered

For a current course schedule, please go to: http://www.nmsu.edu/course/

During the semester, Ambassadors organize group excursions to areas of interest within the state of New Mexico and often beyond to places like the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.

Arrival Information

Pick up is available at the El Paso International Airport (the nearest airport to Las Cruces) and conveys students to their lodging on campus. Ambassadors greet each student as they arrive on campus and assist them with check-in .

The Ambassadors provide exchange students with many of the items that are needed for the dorms, such as blankets, pillows, sheets, cutlery, and dishes. They also organize shopping trips and campus tours and assist with Exchange Student Orientation that is scheduled a few days prior to the beginning of the semester.

• Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the United States at 7,000 feet above sea level.
• Each October Albuquerque hosts the world's largest international hot air balloon fiesta.
• Las Cruces makes the world's largest enchilada the first weekend in October at the "Whole Enchilada Fiesta".
• Lakes and Rivers make up only .002% of the state's total surface area. The lowest water-to-land ratio of all 50 states. Most of New Mexico's lakes are man-made reservoirs.
• The world's first Atomic Bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, on the White Sands Testing Range near Alamogordo. North of the impact point a small placard marks the area known as Trinity Site.
• The Palace of Governors in Santa Fe is the oldest Government Building in the United States.
• Public education was almost non-existent in New Mexico until the end of the 19th century. As late as 1888 there was not a single public college or high school in the entire territory.
• The town of Deming is known for its annual duck races.
• New Mexico was named by 16th-century Spanish explorers who hoped to find gold and wealth equal to Mexico's Aztec treasures.
• New Mexico has far more sheep and cattle than people. There are only about 12 people per square mile.

1. Ghost Ranch: With the dramatic landscape of red and yellow cliffs, Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, encompasses 21,000 acres of towering rock walls, vivid colors, and vast skies. It boasts beautiful scenery, was home to Georgia O’Keeffe and has activities to suit any interest including hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking among others.
2. Valles Caldera: New Mexico’s Super Volcano!  This 89,000 acre National Preserve is in the heart of one of three super volcanoes in the United States. Known for its expansive high mountain valleys, large elk herds, and diverse history, the Preserve is a favorite among the locals and visitors alike.
3. Carlsbad Caverns: Secretly tucked below the desert terrain are more than 119 known caves - all formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone.
4. Tent Rocks: The cone-shaped tent rock formations at this breathtaking National Monument are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago leaving pumice, ash, and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick.
5. White Sands: Awesome wave-like dunes of gypsum sand engulf 275 square miles of desert creating one of the world’s great natural wonders – the glistening white sands of New Mexico.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when going abroad, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Residence halls (dormitories) and apartments are available for any incoming student, although there is a waiting list for students needing family housing. It is necessary to be admitted to NMSU before applying for housing. Most campus residence facilities require a semester payment, while some family and graduate student apartments have monthly payment plans. Some on-campus housing options require the purchase of meal plans. Utilities (electricity, water, etc.), telephone, and internet access are included in all housing facilities.

If you rather want to stay off-campus, there are many apartment complexes located near the NMSU campus. Las Cruces housing costs vary, but popular student apartment complexes near campus range from $300 to $800 or more per month, for one- to four-bedroom apartments. Many students rent off-campus apartments, and rent-sharing to save costs is common. If renting an apartment or house, be aware that you will need to arrange your own utilities, telephone service and so on.

For more information, please click here and here.

U of L Tuition and Other Fees

The tuition fee is paid to the University of Lethbridge according to the current fee schedule: 

• uLethbridge 2019/2020 Undergraduate Program fees for Canadian students:
  • One course: $497.40
  • Two courses: $994.80
  • Three courses: $1492.20
  • Four courses: $1989.60
  • Five courses: $2487.00
• uLethbridge 2019/2020 Graduate Program fees for Canadian students: 
  • One course: $583.75
  • Two course: $1167.50

These fees are subject to change. Current uLethbridge fees can be seen in the fees section of the academic calendar.

Health Insurance

NMSU requires all students to obtain and continually maintain major medical health insurance. Insurance coverage can be purchased annually or the Fall or the Spring/Summer semesters can be purchased separately. Health insurance coverage is required for the summer. Failure to purchase and keep this insurance may result in not being able to register and falling out of visa status.

Please read this important memo from March 2016 regarding NMSU health insurance for international students.

Students can enroll in health insurance program at the Campus Health Center.

Canadian citizens are not required to have a U.S. visa to enter the United States as students. You must present your I-20 (or DS-2019) form, your SEVIS fee receipt, and proof of financial support at the U.S. port of entry. The INS inspector will stamp your I-20 (or DS-2019) and issue you an I-94 card that indicates that you are in F-1 (or J-1) status. It is critical that you enter the U.S. in student status to be eligible for the benefits of that status, including on-campus work permission, optional practical training etc. If you enter the U.S. without any documentation, you are assumed to be in tourist/visitor status and are not entitled to these benefits.

For more information, visit the following websites:

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html 
• https://educationusa.state.gov/