· Meet the Team
Meet James Stone
Meet James — a Waterford primary-school teacher and All-Ireland-winning piper who has been part of ILE since 2014.
Read moreHi!
My name is Joy Smits, and I went on the Irish Life Experience in 2024 and will be returning this summer as one of your Junior Counselors.
I am originally from Shoreline, Washington, and I am going to be a Junior at Gonzaga University, where I am studying Marketing. I have always been really interested in sports and entertainment, and after I graduate, I hope to work in the sports industry in some capacity.
I love going to concerts, spending time with friends, and watching basketball-especially when I get to cheer on my favorite teams with people I love. I am so excited to head back to Ireland with the ILE, reconnect with the program, and make even more amazing memories this summer.
A few fun facts about me: I love hot dogs, I have set a goal to read 25 books this year, and I really enjoy watercolor painting in my free time. My go-to karaoke song is “Valerie,” and one of my long-term dreams is to learn how to do a backflip (Safely, of course!).
I can not wait to meet everyone, share this experience, and help make this summer just as special as the last one!
Go Zags!
