American Finds Home in Iceland, Learns Language from Fishermen

Catherine Chambers, an American who has made Ísafjörður, Iceland, her home, now directs the University Centre of the Westfjords. She lives there with her husband, Dan Govoni, and their two daughters, Friðrika and Lóa, both of whom have Icelandic names and were born and raised in the country.

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We were newly married and wanted an adventure. The goal was never to be here this long, but that's how life is.

Chambers speaks fluent Icelandic, a skill she attributes to conversations with local fishermen. Originally from Illinois, she and her husband, who is from Iowa, came to Iceland in 2008 seeking an adventure while pursuing master's degrees. Dan studied fisheries science at Hólar, focusing on ecosystems, while Catherine pursued environmental and zoological studies.

Her academic path took a significant turn following Iceland's 2008 economic crisis. Observing the crash's impact on the fisheries, environment, and resource management, Chambers decided to pursue a multidisciplinary doctoral degree in marine and coastal studies. Her research, conducted partly in Alaska over two winters, involved participating in halibut fishing trips to gain firsthand experience.

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I often say that I was born at Hólar, raised in Blönduós, and have now come to Ísafjörður.

After completing her doctorate, the couple moved to Blönduós, where they worked at the Knowledge Centre. Dan specialized in freshwater, and Catherine focused on coastal culture. Chambers often reflects on her journey, saying she was "born at Hólar, raised in Blönduós, and have now come to Ísafjörður." She initially knew little about Iceland before Dan received a grant to work at Hólar, admitting she used Wikipedia to learn about the country upon arrival with no specific expectations.

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Many things have changed since 2008. I remember when eggplant first appeared in the store in Blönduós, and people asked me, the foreigner, what they should do with it.