Río Cuarto, Córdoba
Born in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina, Engelsman moved back to Australia with her family at the very age, before they decided to settle in upstate New York, when she was 7 years old. Growing up, she moved around the world, and had been inculcated in diversity and cultural backgrounds. After living in New York for five years, Engelsman spent her senior year in high school studying at the America International of Zürich in Switzerland. She started her swimming career upon her admission at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and eventually won the title in the 50-metre freestyle at the 1998 NCAA Division III state swimming championships.