To discover the enduring effects of an intercultural education and experience, a longitudinal investigation of the alumni of Columbia Academy, an elite international school in Japan, was initiated in 1986. This paper reports on work in progress, focusing on issues involved in addressing an extremely diverse population with varying historical backgrounds. Preliminary results obtained from studies following up earlier research as well as from a pilot survey and interviews are reported. The paper reports on the: (1) international context of the school; (2) theory and methodology of the study; (3) acquisition of a cultural meaning system; (4) research design; (5) problematic aspects of the study; and (6) preliminary results. Appended are 88 references. (Author/SI)