In older dialects of English, like the vernacular of Newfoundland which is based on 19th century west country English, the term arsehole is quite common. Phrases such as 'the arse is out of her bye' are common here.

1) I have not been to China but that doesn't mean I haven't been in another culture. I suppose the most foreign place I have been is Cairo. The most linguistically foreign place I have been is the North of England and Scotland. Nobody understands Geordies or Scots. I lived, worked and traveled in Germany with enough German to get around. It helped that Germans (unlike the Scots) are well educated in English.

Belgians were not interested in speaking any language other than Flemish. Same for the French. They were almost as unfriendly as the Quebecois in Montreal and Quebec City.

2) You can always get another passport from your embassy. It's a pain in the ass but it can be done. It is very helpful if you can identify the person who stole it. Your embassy deal with people who are not afraid of some penny-ante school owner.

3) This is the Global Village and nobody should leave their home without the ability to communicate on the Internet. Mail accounts can be compromised that's why you should have several with different passwords.