What you describe sounds very much like my Bennington MFA residencies, and like the weeks I spend at Elat Chayyim. It's a very particular pleasure, getting to geek out about one's chosen subject in an intense way with a lot of other people who share the passion -- and it's also exhausting, and a bit of a relief to return home from. :-)

Glad you're having such a good time -- look forward to hearing more about it...