The International Institute for Girls in Spain was founded by Alice Gordon Gulick. Intent on encouraging, and furthering, education amongst young people in Spain, the institute was established in Madrid during the early throws of the twentieth century. Following the example set by North American female colleges, the institute acquired a building on Fortuny Street, whilst embarking on the construction of another; number eight, Miguel Ángel. Through the consistently high quality of its studies and languages, and even its sport, the institute strived constantly to distinguish itself from the rest of Spanish education.
The First World War, particularly after the arrival of the United States, deeply impacted the institute to its very core. This resulted in Susan Huntington, director of the institute between 1910 and 1918, reinforcing the ties with the JAE, strengthening an agreement first made in 1917.
Fachada del Instituto Internacional en Miguel Ángel, 8, Madrid, 1911. Archivo Instituto Internacional, Madrid.