As China is rising as a political and economic world power, thanks to its three-decade reform and opening up, more and more people in overseas countries start to learn Chinese and turn to a Confucius Institute in their own countries as their first choice learning Chinese language and Chinese culture. During the learning process, the learners concurrently develop their interest in this ancient land, whose civilization is so vastly different from theirs. And the learners have opportunities to learn about Chinese philosophy, art, architecture, medicine and catering culture and experience first-hand the splendors of this venerable civilization.

　　改革開放30 年來，隨著中國逐漸崛起成為政治經濟強國，海外人士學習漢語的現象與日俱增，海外孔子學院也成了人們學習中國語言和中國文化的首選之地。通過學習漢語，他們對這個和自己文化大相徑庭的古老文明產生了濃厚的興趣，而且有機會了解中國的哲學、藝術、醫學、飲食文化，親身體驗這個文明古國的風采。

　　As the second culture, Chinese culture has enriched the life and world outlook of the learners. This trend, so to speak, is gathering momentum and is there to stay. Apart from their love for Chinese cuisine, more and more American learners of Chinese language are turning to Chinese acupuncture, herbal medicines, martial arts. They are also interested in kongfu films, fashions and crafts. Seemingly outlandish words such as dim sum, ginseng, gingko, oolongcha have crept into their everyday language. The latest Chinese cultural icons to make its impact there are Taoism, and ancient school of thought, and fengshui, an ancient art of placement.

　　作為第二文化，中國文化也豐富了他們的生活和世界觀。可以說，這個潮流方興未艾。越來越多的學習漢語的美國人除了對中國菜肴贊不絕口之外，也在嘗試針灸，草藥和武術。他們也看功夫電影，學習東方時裝潮流和手工藝，不知不覺的在日常生活中談及中國的點心，人參、銀杏，烏龍茶等。目前在美國最熱門的中國文化是道家學說和有著神秘色彩的風水學。