For that reason you may decide that a tablet, and especially the iPad or even the new Nexus 7 tablet (if you have a WiFi connection), is a far better choice as a communications tool when you are overseas if you do not need the convenience of a smaller device with its obvious limitations as far as screen size.
And, as we've seen by now, there are serious limitations to this device -- namely its price, image quality and battery life -- that may prevent that from happening.