private char parseFacingInt(int facingInt) {

        char facingChar;

        switch (facingInt) {
            case NORTH:
                facingChar = 'N';
                break;
            case EAST:
                facingChar = 'E';
                break;
            case SOUTH:
                facingChar = 'S';
                break;
            case WEST:
                facingChar = 'W';
                break;
            default:
                //this shouldn't happen, but just in case
                throw new IllegalArgumentException("Incorrect argument when parsing direction int");
        }

        return facingChar;
    }