It’s not a mainstream flatbush/lakewood if you get my drift kind of place. It’s a very diverse place. There are guys that have come from flatbush, five towns/far rockaway, OOT , South Africa, Canada, UK, and Australia.
The Yeshiva is right next to town; for some, it’s a challenge that’s difficult to overcome.
The Rosh Yeshiva is a central focus. So, it’s a place where one can gain a connection with said person. Rabbeim and Kollel people encourage guys to stay there a long time, and the hashkafos are a bit different from mir, and the like. Definitely hadracha.
If your friend witnessed the style of learning, then he has an idea of what it’s like.