[jem]

If they are blocking inbound SMTP, I would doubt they would allow inbound VPNs, it's very hard to control what you are allowing access to your network.

Just a thought but see if they have a web interface to the email system. Most systems provide these and although the experience is never as good as a proper email client - although Outlook Web Access to an Exchange server is very good as long as you are using Windows and IE7 - they are certainly good enough for most uses.