改革开放 30 年来，随着中国逐渐崛起成为政治经济强国，海外人士学习汉语的现象与日俱增，海外孔子学院也成了人们学习中国语言和中国文化的首选之地。
通过学习汉语，他们对这个和自己文化大相径庭的古老文明产生了浓厚的兴趣，而且有机会了解中国的哲学、艺术、医学、饮食文化，亲身体验这个文明古国的风采。
作为第二文化，中国文化也丰富了他们的生活和世界观。可以说，这个潮流方兴未艾。越来越多的学习汉语的美国人除了对中国菜肴赞不绝口之外，也在尝试针灸，草药和武术。
他们也看功夫电影，学习东方时装潮流和手工艺，不知不觉的在日常生活中谈及中国的点心，人参、银杏，乌龙茶等。目前在美国最热门的中国文化是道家学说和有着神秘色彩的风水学 。
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.
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 dimsum, ginseng, gingko, oolong cha 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.
