Transnational studies has increased dramatically in the last few years, particularly among Chinese students. Understanding their experience within the framework of transformative learning theory and Confucianism reveals that transformative learning takes places through the use of Chinese proverbs, sayings and metaphors, rather than discourse. These proverbs, sayings and metaphors mediate transformative learning and provide a reoriented sense of harmony, consistent with unique tenets of Confucianism.