I done some traveling with my ATT Blackberry and I do not have their international plan. I think it's absurd that they make you commit to a year like that. Just unlock your phone and then get a SIM card for whatever country you're going to. Most developed countries offer some sort of push email service through either a local or US company. I visited Israel last year and used Talk N' Save. Overall, they were great. Customer service was a little flaky, but the service I got while there (local phone #, US phone # that connected to my Israel phone number, and BIS push service) were phenomenal. Cost wasn't cheap, but not terribly expensive either (about $160 for the two weeks I was there).
