Northeast Ohio's international students, an economic force waiting to be tapped, were invited to a first-of-its-kind event on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the Global Center for Health Innovation in downtown Cleveland. Over 520 young adults from around the world attended InterCLE 2017, where civic and business leaders, for the first time, formally welcomed them to the region.

The event featured music, food, cultural demonstrations, networking with employers and an after-party in the Flats.

Organizers expect the welcome and the camaraderie will enhance the international student experience in Northeast Ohio and entice more of the world's best and brightest to stay on after graduation and launch careers and businesses here.

The event was presented by Global Cleveland, in partnership with the Friends of Global Cleveland, a new, international young professionals group, and with the support of the City of Cleveland.

The event began with a performance by the Hula Fusion Polynesian Dancers.

Global Cleveland president Joe Cimperman introduced Hula Fusion who performed traditional dance from the Pacific Islands.

Joe Cimperman

NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.

Hula Fusion

See more photos and videos from Hula Fusion at InterCLE

Next, Global Cleveland CEO Joe Cimperman welcomed the crowd and thanked the sponsors and team.

Next, Alexander Lackey, Government Affairs Coordinator- City of Cleveland, introduced Mayor Frank Jackson who spoke to the students.

Alexander Lackey

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson

A video from US Senator Sherrod Brown was played.

Next, 4 young ladies gave a K-Pop performance.

K-Pop dancers

See more photos and videos from the K-Pop dancers at InterCLE

Next, Yulu Li, President of the Friends of Global Cleveland, called up the other members of the Friends of Global Cleveland team and welcomed the students.

Yulu Li

Friends of Global Cleveland leaders

Entrepreneur Radhika Reddy originally from India gave advice to the students.

Radhika Reddy

Next, dancers and acrobats from Rising Star Gymnastics entertained the crowd.

Rising Star Gymnastics

See more photos and videos from the Rising Star Gymnastics Team at InterCLE

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Yulu Li introduced Dr. Nizar Zein from the Cleveland Clinic who gave students advice.

Yulu Li

Dr. Nizar Zein

Rania Abbadi introduced Aram Nerpouni, the President and CEO of BioEnterprise.

Rania Abbadi

Aram Nerpouni

Joe Cimperman introduced immigration attorney and author Margaret Wong who gave the students some life lessons.

Margaret Wong

Moatasem (Mo) Al Bitar, one of the founders of Friends of Global Cleveland, told his story as an immigrant student.

Moatasem (Mo) Al Bitar

Cleveland State University Professor Stephen Cory showed the students his Map Walk.

During the entire event there was international food, tables of information from cultural groups and lots of networking.

See some photos of the people having fun on Page 2 of InterCLE.

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Global Cleveland InterCLE Student event Global Center for InnovationSeptember 9, 2017

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Global Cleveland InterCLE Student event
Global Center for Innovation
September 9, 2017

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