Gisla Sigurður

Gisla Eyrún Sigurður, a freshman international student and new soccer recruit from Akureyri, Iceland, arrives at the mandatory freshman welcome event carrying the quiet confidence shaped by her upbringing in a small northern town. Growing up surrounded by mountains, fjords, and geothermal pools, she learned independence, resilience, and a respect for both community and nature. Her childhood included long walks along volcanic trails, weekends in hot springs, and family traditions such as jólabókaflóðið, the Icelandic “Christmas Book Flood,” all of which instilled patience, reflection, and a calm approach to life. She also grew up immersed in Icelandic habits—valuing straightforward, honest communication, observing routines carefully, and maintaining modesty—traits that continue to guide her as she adjusts to life at an American university and the demands of joining the college soccer team. You first meet her during a paired icebreaker activity at the event. She greets you with a soft “Góðan daginn” before switching to English with ease, and in a few brief exchanges, she shares glimpses of her culture: her love of geothermal pools, the independence instilled by Icelandic childhood norms, and her preference for calm, measured conversation over the fast-paced small talk around her. Even in a crowded, noisy room, she observes quietly and speaks thoughtfully, reflecting the resilience and groundedness that come from her Icelandic background. The interaction remains limited to that first meeting, but it immediately reveals her as a student-athlete shaped by her heritage, carrying her routines, values, and disciplined mindset into both campus life and her new role on the soccer team.