Hungarian professor an English expert
HódmezÅvásárhely, or “a beaver meadow fair place,” is the southeastern Hungary city Susan Nyikos calls her homeland. She dabbles in the arts, knows about vampire folklore, she’s a hiker, a movie watcher, an expert in Hungarian folklore and literature, a Shakespearean enthusiast, a published poet and a teacher.
“I’m going to teach you about irony. Look at me teaching you English,” Nyikos, the Hungarian English lecturer, said.
That is what Nyikos, who began studying English at 13, said she tells many of her USU English classes.
“I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoy working with words and understanding more about myself and humanity,” she said. “That’s why I love Shakespeare — he’s all about humanity. I still feel like I have a long way to go with him, because I keep coming back, and I discover something new every semester.”
In her ninth year at USU, Nyikos said she counts herself as lucky to teach here. She said this is the longest time she has lived in one place since she left Hungary.
Other than Utah and Hungary, Nyikos has lived in Germany, the Netherlands, Virginia and Pennsylvania, where she taught at York College.
“The West is my favorite,” Nyikos said. “I love it here. It was like home, and it was my choice this time. I love the mountains and sagebrush. The people are very kinKrid. It has its charms and it’s very hard to resist.”
Other than teaching general English classes, Nyikos said she’s found joy going in depth as she teaches various classes about English literature, Shakespeare and, in particular, Gothic literature.
“The ultimate thread that goes through the whole of Gothic literature is the uncanny, or the fear of the unknown,” Nyikos said. “That is what really lurks at the bottom of all these stories.”
In her perspectives in literature course, students read books like “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Frankenstein” and “Dracula.”
“We started with the idea that it’s just pure entertainment — the mystery and darkness, the castle and dungeons, the evil characters and damsels in distress,” Nyikos said. “We then look at how most of these external things become internal like ‘Jekyll and Hyde.'”
Nyikos has also published poems in publications such as “The Wordriver,” “Loose Leaves” and “Spilling Ink.” This spring, she will be published in “Sugar House Review” and online literary magazine “Provo Orem Word.”
“I have been writing poems most of my life, but only for myself,” Nyikos said. “As for all writers, my poems are inspired by my experiences in different countries and states. Often, I feel overwhelmed by the vastness of life and the world around me, but I remind myself of what Anne Lamotte said about writing: ‘bird by bird.'”
Before Nyikos came to USU, she taught in a public school for five years after graduating from a Hungary university.
“I think it boils down to this: A teacher’s job is to help young people learn, no matter the circumstances,” Nyikos said.
Ricky Andersen, a junior majoring in Spanish and English as a second language (ESL) education, said he took Nyikos’ understanding literature course his freshman year.
“Susan cares about the personal progress of each of her students,” Andersen said.
Kendra Knoppel, a sophomore majoring in nursing, took English 2010 from Nyikos last semester, and said she was dreading the class because she disliked English, but she ended up loving it because of Nyikos’ approach.
“After the first day of class, I thought to myself, ‘I don’t think this is going to be too bad,'” Knoppel said. “I was able to write in my own way, with my own voice, and I wasn’t criticized for using my own voice.”
Knoppel found Nyikos to be personable and helpful.
“She knew us by name, and she was able to help us each individually,” she said. “Something about her that was different than other professors I’ve had was she honestly cared about how we were doing in the class. If she was concerned she would pull you aside and ask what she could do to help.”
Emma Shoaf, a junior majoring in agricultural business, also took English 2010 from Nyikos.
“It wasn’t a boring English class where you sit and write all day,” Shoaf said. “She had us freestyle write and talk with classmates and never wanted to waste a minute of class time. I think that just showed me how she viewed life — she never wanted to waste a minute of it, or let it go by with boring activities or learning.”
Knoppel also had good things to say about Nyikos.
“I could see the passion and love she had for writing and reading,” Knoppel said. “She put her whole self into the class; she gave us 100 percent of herself. It was nice having a teacher who is truly passionate about what she does.”
Nyikos said she captures her energy from her students, but she was not always so outgoing.
“When I was young, I was very shy — pathologically shy,” Nyikos said. “When I started teaching, I had to talk, and there was something in me that wanted to come to the surface. I taught myself to not hold back. It’s kind of a self-discovery. I feel more like myself.”
Although Nyikos’ job is to teach, through her travels, experiences and zest for life, Nyikos said she has learned a lot in life.
“Consider any and all experience in life as a learning opportunity,” she said. “I think it helps.”
– kristi.j.lambert@aggiemail.usu.edu