(Moved to the Swiss club) Book presentation and Q&A: Becoming Danish – A 12 Month Exchange A Lifetime Legacy

The Event
Attending the Danish Club for one night only on Thursday 15 January 2026, John
Campbell will be sharing some of the stories from his book, Becoming Danish – A 12 Month
Exchange A Lifetime Legacy. He will hold a Q&A session and have a supply of books
available for purchase (which he will gladly sign). Come along and hear how his exchange
was not only an extraordinary year, but a true lifetime legacy which has included him
enjoying the company of HRH King Frederik and HRH Queen Mary at a Royal Cocktail
Party.

The Book
What if one year could change everything?
Thousands of young people embark on youth exchange every year and their personal growth
and development is brought about by an enormously vast array of experiences – both good
and bad. They laugh, they cry, they make mistakes and they achieve amazing things. They
gain a profound understanding of humanity, and they learn diplomacy and respect for other
cultures. The innocence of youth evolves to create truly world citizens.
At just seventeen, John Campbell boarded a plane from Australia to Denmark, expecting an
adventure — but what he found was a life-shaping journey that would stay with him forever.
Immersed in a vibrant new culture, John navigates the excitement and challenges of living
with host families, adapting to Danish customs, attending a Danish high school and
discovering courage he never knew he had. From hilarious misunderstandings to moments of
deep connection, Becoming Danish is a captivating celebration of growth, resilience, and the
power of cultural exchange.
Perfect for travellers, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever wondered what happens when you
say “yes” to the unknown, Becoming Danish invites you into a heartwarming, transformative
story that proves the world is bigger, kinder, and more connected than we imagine. This is not
just a memoir — it’s a legacy.
The book will be available to purchase for $25

The Author
John Campbell is an Australian author, lawyer and mediator. He is also a former exchange
student whose life was forever shaped by a transformative year in Denmark during the early
1990s. Driven by a passion for cultural connection and global citizenship, he brings warmth,
honesty, and vivid storytelling to his memoir Becoming Danish. John has spent decades
mentoring young people pursuing exchange opportunities for themselves and has hosted 25
exchange students in his home. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys travelling and sharing the
lessons of his journey with audiences worldwide. Becoming Danish is his debut book.